IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


i^m  |2.5 

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Hf    I4£    12.0 


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1.25  III  1.4 


1.6 


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Photographic 

Sdences 

Corporation 


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D 


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n 


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Coloured  covers/ 
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Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
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Additional  comments:/ 
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Ce  document  est  film6  au  taux  de  reduction  indiquA  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


aiK 


30X 


y 

12X 


^m 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


'e 

dtails 
)8  du 
nodifier 
ir  une 
ilmage 


IS 


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first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
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shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^  (meaning  "CON- 
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whichever  applies. 


L'exemplaire  filmi  fut  reproduit  grice  k  la 
ginirosit*  de: 

S4minaire  de  Quebec 
Bibliothique 

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plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettet*  de  l'exemplaire  fiimA,  et  en 
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filmage. 

Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  ImprimAe  sont  fiimAs  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  piet  et  en  terminent  soit  par  la 
derniAre  pege  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration.  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  eutres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmis  en  commenpant  par  la 
premiAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminent  par 
la  derniire  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparattra  sur  la 
derniire  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symboie  — »>  signifie  "A  SUIVRE".  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  et 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hend  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tabieeux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
film6s  i  des  taux  de  reduction  diffArents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichA,  ii  est  filmA  i  psrtir 
de  Tangle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  heut  en  bes.  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nAcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  ia  mAthode. 


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OB,       . 


DISCOURSES 


ON  THB 


MASS  AND  OFFICE, 


WITH  A 


PREPARATION  AND  THANKSGIVING 


BEFORE  AND  AFTER  MASS 

FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  WEEK. 

TRANSLATED  FROM  THE  ITALIAN  OF 

ST.    AIiPHONSUS 

BY  THEi 

*  / 

REV.  JAMES^&ON^^ 


PHILADELPHIA: 

PETER  F.  CUNNINGHAM,  Catholic  Bookseller, 

216  South  Third  Street. 

1861. 


We  are  pleased  to  know,  that  Mr.  P.  F.  Cunningham 
proposes  to  republish  the  small  treatises  of  St.  Alphon- 
sus  de  Liguori  on  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  and 
the  Divine  Office,  with  Prayers  and  Meditations  for 
Preparation  and  Thanksgiving.  We  give  our  full  and 
cordial  approbation  to  the  publication. 

JAMES  F.  WOOD, 

BISHOP  OF  PHILADELPHIA. 

Exaltation  of  the  Cross,  1861.        ,.   ,,■.  ..     .    ^. 


I  ^  ' 


Y      ■• 


^ 


\ 


Tl 


CONTENTS. 


On  the  holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass, 6 

§.  I.  Of  Preparation  before  Mass, 11 

§.  II.  Of  the  rciverence  with  which  Mass  ought  to 

be  celebrated, 16 

§.  III.  Of  Thanksgiving  after  Mass, 37 

Praeparatio  ad  Missam, 43 

MEDITATIONS  AND  AFFECTIONS  BEFORE  MASS. 

Meditation  I.  Sunday, 55 

Memento  of  the  living, 59 

Memento  of  the  dead, 60 

Meditation  II.  Monday, 60 

Meditation  III.  Tuesday, 66 

Meditation  IV.  Wednesday, 69 

Meditation  V.  Thursday, 72 

Meditation  VI.  Friday,  75 

Meditation  VII.  Saturday,  78 

Gratiarum  Actio, 83 

AFFECTIONS  BY  WAY  OF  THANKSGIVINGS  AFTER  MASS. 

Thanksgiving  I.  Suniay, 100 

Thanksgiving  II.  Monday, 103 

Thanksgiving  III.  Tuesday,  105 

Thanksgiving  IV.  Wednesday, 108 

Thatiksgiving  V.  Thursday, 110 

Thanksgiving  VI.    Friday, , 113 

Thanksgiving  VII.  Saturday,.. 116 

Aspirations  of  love  after  Mass,  collected  from  the 
manuscripts  of  St.  Francis  of  Sales,  118 


\ 


IV  •  CONTENTS. 

ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 

Of  devoutly  reciting  the  Divine  Office,  «  126 

Directio  Intentionis  ante  Missam,  151 

Jesus,  Maria,  Joseph,  Forma  intenlionis  ad  Mis- 
sam celebrandam,  151 

Precatiuncnla  Sacerdotibus  quotidie  legenda,  ut 
in  dies  Deo  ferventius  deserviant.   Ex  Thorn. 

a  Kempis,  De  Iraitationi  Christi, 153 

Alia  post  Missam  ad  Beatissimam  Yirginem  Ma- 

rium  Preeatio, 164 

Ad  vulnera  Christi  oratio, 154 

Salutationes  ad  omnia  membra  Christi,  et  sui 

ipsius  ad  earn  commendatio, 155 

MEDITATIONS  ON  THE  PASSION,  BY  WAV  OF  PEEPAEATIOH 

FOR  MASS. 

Meditation  I.  Sunday, 157 

Meditation  II.  Monday, 159 

Meditation  III.  Tuesday, 16-1 

Meditation  IV.  Wednesday,..* loS 

Meditation  V.  Thursday, 164 

Meditation  VI.  Friday,  166 

Meditation  VII.  Saturday, 168 

THANKSGIVINGS. 

Thanksgiving  I.  Sunday, ITO 

Thanksgiving  II.  Monday,  ..  171 

Thanksgiving  III.  Tuesday, 173 

Thanksgiving  IV.  AVednesday, 175 

Thanksgiving  V.  Thursday 176 

Thanksgiving  VI.   Friday, 177 

Thanksgiving  VII.  Saturday, 179 


•  •  #• 

126 

•  •  •• 

151 

is- 

•  •  •• 

151 

ut 

>m. 

•  •  •• 

153 

ilA' 

•  •  •  • 

154 

*»•  • 

154 

sui 

»••  > 

155 

\ 

(VEATIOK 

•  ••  • 

157 

»••• 

159 

**•• 

lai 

•  ••  • 

loS 

•  •  •  • 

164 

ON  THE 


...  166 
16B 


...  ITO 
..  171 

...  17S 
...  175 
...  176 
...  177 
..  179 


HOLY    SACRIFICE 


OF  THE  MASS. 


Unless  a  Priest  esteem  the  Holy  Sacrifice  as 
it  deserves,  he  can  never  celebrate  it  with  suit- 
able devotion.  Assuredly  there  is  no  action, 
which  man  can  perform,  so  sublime,  so  sacred, 
as  the  celebration  of  Mass.  Fateamur,  says  the 
Council  of  Trent,  nullum  aliud  opus,  adeo  sanc- 
tum ac  divinum  a  Christo  jidelihus  tractari  posse, 
quam  hoc  ipsum  tremendum  mysterium,  ^scss.  22. 
Decret,  de  observ.  in  eel.  etc.  God  himself  could 
not  enable  a  man  to  perform  anything  greater 
than  the  celebration  of  Mass. 

All  the  ancient  sacrifices,  by  which  God  was 
so  much  honored,  were  but  shadows  and  figures 
of  our  sacrifice  of  the  altar.  All  the  honor  that 
angels  by  their  adorations,  and  men  by  their 
good  works,  austerities,  and  even  martyrdoms, 
have  ever  rendered  or  will  ever  render  to  God, 


6 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


never  could,  and  never  will,  give  him  so  much 
glory  as  one  single  Mass ;  for,  while  the  honor 
of  all  creatures  is  only  finite,  that  which  accrues 
to  God  from  the  holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Altar  is 
infinite,  inasmuch  as  the  victim  which  is  ofi'ered 
is  of  infinite  value.  The  Mass,  therefore,  oflfers 
to  God  the  greatest  honor  that  can  be  given  him ; 
subdues  most  triumphantly  the  powers  of  hell  -, 
aifords  the  greatest  relief  to  the  suffering  souls  in 
purgatory  j  appeases  most  efficaciously  the  wrath 
of  God  against  sinners,  r/id  brings  down  the 
greatest  blessings  on  mankind. 

If,  as  it  is  promised,  we  may  confidently  hope 
to  obtain  from  God  whatever  we  ask  in  the  name 
of  Jesus :  Si  quid  petieritis  Patrem  in  nomine 
meo  dabit  vobis.  Jo.  xxiv.  how  much  more  con- 
fidently may  we  hope  to  obtain  what  we  ask  for, 
when  we  immolate  to  the  Father,  Jesus  himself  1 
Our  loving  Redeemer  is  continually  making  inter- 
cession for  us  in  heaven  :  Qui  etiam  inter pellat 
pro  nobis.  Rom.  viii.  But  this  he  does  more 
especially  in  the  sacrifice  of  the  Mass,  in  which, 
by  the  hands  of  the  priest,  he  presents  himself  to 
his  Eternal  Father,  to  obtain  graces  for  us. 
Were  we  assured  that  all  the  Saints  and  the 
blessed  Mother  of  Christ  were  praying  for  us, 
with  what  great  confidence  should  we  expect  to 
receive  all  graces  necessary  for  us  ?    But  it  is 


\  i«] 


OF  THE  MASS. 


t 


certain  that  one  prayer  of  Jesus  Christ  will  avail 
infinitely  more  than  all  the  prayers  of  the  Saints. 
Poor  wretched  sinners,  what  would  become  of  us, 
without  this  sacrifice  to  appease  the  Lord  I  Hujus 
quippe  oblatione  placaius  Dominus,  gratiam  et 
donum  pmnitenim  concedens,  crimina  et  peccata 
etiam  ingentia  dimittit,  says  the  Council  of 
Trent.  In  a  word,  as  ,the  passion  of  Jesus  Christ 
was  sufficient  to  save  the  whole  world,  so  is  a 
single  Mass  sufficient  to  save  it.  Hence,  at  the 
offertory  of  the  chalice  the  priest  says :  Offeri- 
mus  tibi,  Domine,  calicem  salutaris .pto  nos- 
tra^ et  totius  mundi  salute. 

The  Mass  is  the  good  thing  and  the  beautiful 
thing  of  the  Church,  according  to  the  prediction 
of  the  prophet :  Quid  enim  bonum  ejus  est  et  quid 
pulchrum  ejus,  nisi  frumentum  electorum  et  vinum 
germinans  virgines  ?  Zacch,  ix.  17.  In  the 
Mass,  the  Word  incarnate  offers  himself  in  sacri- 
fice to  his  Eternal  Father,  and  gives  himself  to 
us  in  the  Blessed  Sacrament  of  the  Eucharist, 
which  is  the  end  and  aim  of  almost  all  the  other 
sacraments,  as  the  angelic  doctor  teaches  :  Fere 
omnia  sacramenta  in  Eucharistia  consummantur , 
Hence  St.  Bonaventure  says,  that  in  the  Mass 
God  manifests  to  us  all  the  love  which  he  has 
borne  us,  and  includes  in  it,  as  in  a  compendium, 
all  his  benefits  :  Est  memoriale  totius  diledionis 


8 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


suoSf  et  quad  compendium  quoddam  omnium  bene- 
ficiorum  suorum,  S.  Bonav,  de  Instit.  part,  i. 
cap,  11.  On  this  account  the  devil  has  always 
endeavored  to  abolish  the  Mass  throughout  the 
world  by  means  of  heretics,  making  them  the 
precursors  of  Antichrist,  who  before  all  things 
will  endeavor  to  abolish,  and  in  fact  will,  in  pun- 
ishment of  the  sins  of  men,  succeed  in  abolishing 
the  holy  sacrifice  of  the  altar,  according  to  the 
prediction  of  Daniel :  Robur  autem  datum  est  ei 
contra  juge  sacrificium  propter  peccatd,  Dan, 
viii.  12.- 

The  same  St.  Bonaventure  says,  that  the  Son 
of  God  in  every  Mass  confers  a  benefit  on  the 
world  not  less  than  that  which  he  conferred  in 
taking  upon  himself  our  human  nature :  JVon 
minus  videtur  facere  Deus  in  hoc,  quod  quotidie 
dignatur  descenders  super  aliare,  quam  cum  natu- 
ram  humani  generis  assumpsit.  Loco  cit.  So  that, 
as  the  learned  teach,  if  Jesus  Christ  had  never 
appeared  in  the  world,  a  priest,  by  pronouncing 
the  words  of  consecration,  would  bring  him  down 
from  heaven  upon  the  earth,  according  to  that 
celebrated  sentence  of  St.  Augustine :  0  vene- 
randa  Sacerdotum  digniias,  in  quorum  manibus, 
velut  in  utero  Virginis  Filius  Dei  incarnatur, 
S,  Aug,  in  Psalm  xxvii. 

Moreover,  as  the  saprifice  of  the  altar  is  the 


OF  THE  JIASS. 


9 


the 


application  and  renewing  of  the  sacrifice  of  the 
cross,  the  angelic  doctor  teaches,  that  the  Mass 
procures  for  man  the  same  benefits  and  salvation 
as  the  sacrifice  of  the  cross  procured  for  him : 
In  qualihet  Missa  invenitur  omnisfructus,  quern 
Christus  operatus  est  in  cruce,     Quidquid  est 
effectus  Dominica  passionis  est  effectus  hujus 
Sacrificii,     S.  Thorn,  in  cap.  6.  Isa.  Lect.  6.  St. 
Chrysostom  says  the  same  :  Tantum  valet  celebra" 
tio  MisscB  quantum  valet  mors  Christi  in  cruce, 
Apud  DiscipuL  Serm,  48.     And   of  this  the 
Church  still  further  assures  us,  saying :  Qucties 
hujus  hosticR  commemoratio  recolitur,  toties  opus 
nostra  Redemptionis  exercetur.     Oral,  in  Missa 
Bom,  post  Pent,     As   the  same  Saviour,  who 
offered  himself  for  us  on  the  cross,  oiFers  himself 
in  sacrifice  on  the  altar  by  the  hands  of  the  priest, 
as  the  Council  of  Trent  teaches :  Una  enim  eadem- 
que  hostia,  idem  nunc  offerens  Sacerdotum  minis- 
terio,  qui  seipsum  tunc  in  cruce   obtulit,  sola 
ratione  offerendi  diversa,     Sess,  22,  cap,  2  ;    so 
the  sacrifice  of  the  cross  is  applied  to  our  souls 
by  the  sacrifice  of  the  altar.   The  passion  of  Jesus 
Christ  rendered  us  capable  of  redemption ;  the 
Mass  puts  us  in  possession  of  it,  and  enables  us 
to  enjoy  its  merits. 

The  Mass,  then,  being  the  most  holy  and  divine 
action  in  which  we  can  be  engaged,  it  plainly 
1* 


10 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


follows,  says  the  Council  of  Trent,  that  all  dili- 
gence ought  to  be  used  in  order  that  so  great  a 
sacrifice  may  be  celebrated  with  the  greatest  pos- 
sible interior  purity  and  exterior  devotion :  Satis 
etiam  apparet,  omnem  operam  et  diligentiam  in  eo 
ponendum  esse,  ut  quanta  maxima  fieri  potest  in- 
teriori  cordis  munditia  et  puritate,  atque  exteriori 
devotionis,  acpietatis  specie  peragatnr.  Sess,  22. 
.Deer,  de  obser.  etc.  And  it  says  that  the  male- 
diction fulminated  by  Jeremias  against  those  who 
performed  negligently  their  sacred  functions,  is 
especially  to  be  directed  against  Priests  who 
celebrate  Mass  irreverently,  which  is  the  greatest 
and  most  sublime  action  that  man  can  perform 
for  the  honor  of  his  Creator ;  adding  that  such 
irreverence  cannot  well  be  less  than  impiety. 
The  words  of  the  Council  are  :  Qitce  ah  impietate 
vix  sejuncta  esse  potest. 

In  order,  therefore,  that  the  Priest  of  God  may 
avoid  such  irreverence,  and  with  it  the  maledic- 
tion of  heaven,  let  us  see  what  he  must  do  before 
he  celebrates  Mass  ;  what  during  the  celebration ; 
and  what  after  he  has  celebrated.  Before  he 
celebrates  he  must  prepare  himself.  During  the 
celebration  he  must  behave  with  suitable  rever- 
ence. After  having  celebrated  he  must  make  a 
thanksgiving. 


.J 


OF  THE 


SECT 


OF   PREPARATIO 


It  has  been  said  by  a 
the  whole  life  of  a  Priest  ou^uu  •§  ul  a  pre- 
paration and  thanksgiving  for  Mass.  It  is  true 
that  the  most  holy  Eucharist  was  instituted  for 
the  benefit  of  all  the  faithful,  but  it  was  espe- 
cially bestowed  upon  Priests.  Jfolite,  says  our 
Loi  d,  speaking  to  Priests,  dare  sanctum  canibus, 
neque  mittatis  margaritas  vestras,  ante  par  cos, 
Matth.  vii.  6.  Mark  the  words,  Margaritas  ves- 
tras.  In  Greek  the  consecrated  particles  are 
called  margariicB  ;  now  these  are  here  spoken  of 
by  our  Blessed  Saviour  as  belonging  particularly 
to  Priests,  margaritas  vestras.  Hence,  accord- 
ing to  St.  Chrysostoni,  a  Priest  leaving  the  altar 
ought  to  be  so  inflamed  with  divine  love,  as  to 
be  the  terror  of  hell :  Tanquam  hones  igitur 
ignem  spirantes  ab  ilia  mensa  recedamus^  facti 
diabolo  terribiles.  Chrysost,  Horn,  6.  ad  Popul. 
Antioch,  But  do  we  see  this  exemplified?  On 
the  contrary,  the  greater  number  of  Priests 
leave  the  altar  even  more  tepid,  more  impatient, 
proud,  jealous,  and  more  attached  to  their  own 
interests,  to  self-esteem,  and  to  worldly  plea- 
sures.   Defectus  non  in  ciT)o  est,  sed  in  sumente, 


12 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


says  Cardinal  Bona.  The  fault  is  not  in  the 
food  of  which  they  partake  at  such  a  table,  since 
such  food,  only  once  eaten,  according  to  St.  Mary 
Magdalene  of  Pazzi,  is  sufficient  to  make  them 
saints ;  but  in  the  neglect  of  preparation  on  the 
part  of  those  who  celebrate  the  Holy  Sacrifice. 

Preparation  for  Mass  is  two-fold — remote  and 
immediate. 

The  remote  consists  in  a  pure  and  virtuous 
life,  which  a  Priest  ought  always  to  lead  in 
order  to  celebrate  worthily.  If  God  required 
purity  of  the  Priests  of  the  old  law,  to  qualify 
them  for  the  carrying  only  of  the  sacred  vessels : 
Mundamini  qui  fertis  vasa  Domini,  ha.  Hi.  11 ; 
how  much  greater  purity  must  he  require  of  a 
Priest  for  bearing  in  his  hands  and  in  his  breast 
the  Word  incarnate'?  Quanto  mundiores  esse 
oporiet,  qui  in  manibus  et  in  corpore  portant 
Christum?  says  Peter  of  Blois,  Ep,  123.  In 
order  to  be  thus  pure  and  holy,  a  Priest  should 
not  only  be  free  from  mortal  sins,  but  also  from 
deliberate  venial  sins:  otherwise,  says  St.  Ber- 
nard, Jesus  Christ  will  not  allow  him  to  have 
part  with  him  :  J^emo  qucB  videntur  modica^  con- 
temnat ;  quoniam,  sicut  audivit  Petrus,  nisi  lave- 
rit  ea  Chrisius,  non  habebimus  partem  cum  eo. 
All  the  actions,  therefore,  of  a  Priest,  all  his 
words,  all  his  though'ts,  ought  to  be  so  holy  as 


OF  THE  MASS. 


U 


to  dispoa^    aim  remotely  for  the  worthy  celebra- 
tion of  Mass. 

The   immediate  preparation   consists  first  in 
mental   prayer.     How   can    a  Priest   celebrate 
Mass  devoutly,  who   does  not  prepare  himself 
beforehand  by  meditation?    Father  Avila  says, 
that  a  Priest  ought  to  make  an  hour  and  a  half's 
meditation  before  celebrating  the  Holy  Sacrifice. 
I  should  be  satisfied  with  half  an  hour,  and,  for 
the  more  tepid,  with  even  a  quarter  of  an  hour ; 
but  I  cannot  help  saying  that  a  quarter  is  too 
little.     0  God,  how  many  beautiful  books  are 
there  of  meditation  by  way  of  preparation  for 
Mass !  but  how  few  make  use  of  them !    Hence 
is    Mass    so    frequently   celebrated   with    such 
grievous  negligence  and  want  of  devotion.     St. 
Thomas  says,  that  our  Blessed  Redeemer  insti- 
tuted the  most  holy  sacrament  of  the  altar,  in 
order  to  keep  alive  within  us  the  remembrance 
of  his  love  shown  to  us  in  his  passion,  and  of 
the  great  benefits  obtained  for  us  by  the  sacrifice 
of  himself  on  the  altar  of  the  cross ;  and  hence 
the  apostle  admonishes  us  that,  as  often  as  we 
receive  the  holy  communion,  we  should  do  so  in 
remembrance  of  the  death  of  our  Lord :    Quo- 
tiescumque  enim   manducabitis  partem   himc,  et 
calicem  bibetis,   mortem   Domini  annunciabitis. 
1  Cor,  xi.     Now,  if  all  the  faithful  are  required 


14 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


to  commemorate  the  passion  of  Jesus  Christ  as 
often  as  they  communicate,  how  much  more  is  a 
Priest  required  to  do  this,  when  he  celebrates 
Mass ;  in  which  he  not  only  receives  the  most 
sacred  body  and  blood  of  Christ,  but  also  repre- 
sents and  renews  upon  the  altar,  although  in 
a  different  manner,  the  sacrifice  itself  of  the 
cross. 

Besides  making  his  meditation,  a  Priest  should 
also,  before  he  celebrates,  recollect  himself,  at 
least  for  a  short  time,  and  reflect  on  the  great- 
ness of  the  action  which  he  is  about  to  perform. 
Thus  it  was  ordained  by  the  Council  of  Milan, 
in  the  time  of  St.  Charles :  Antequam  celebrent, 
se  colligant,  et  orantes  mentem  m  tanti  Mysterii 
cogitationem  defigant.  When  a  Priest  enters  the 
sacristry  to  say  Mass,  let  him  leave  behind  him 
all  worldly  thoughts,  saying  to  them  with  St. 
Bernard  :  "Wait  here  all  earthly  cares  and  solici- 
tude, until  after  I  have  celebrated  Mass,  which 
will  require  all  my  attention.  St.  Francis  of 
Sales,  writes  in  one  of  his  letters  to  St.  Jane 
Frances  de  Chantal :  When  I  approach  the  altar 
to  begin  Mass,  I  banish  all  temporal  affairs  from 
my  mind.  Let  a  Priest,  therefore,  consider  that 
he  is  going  to  call  down  from  heaven  the  Word 
incarnate,  to  treat  familiarly  with  him,  to  offer 
him  again  in  sacrifice  to  his  Eternal  Father,  and 


OF  THE  MASS. 


15 


to  nourish  himself  with  hi?  divine  body  and 
blood ;  after  the  example  of  the  venerable  John 
of  Avila,  who  was  accustomed  to  excite  himself 
to  devotion  by  saying :  I  am  going  to  consecrate, 
to  call  down  the  body  and  blood  of  the  Son  of 
God,  I  am  going  to  take  him  into  my  hands, 
to  speak  to  klm,  and  to  treat  with  him^  and  to 
receive  him  into  my  breast. 

Let  him  also  reflect  that  he  is  going  to  the 
altar  to  make  intercession  for  all  sinners.  Sacer- 
dos  dum  celebrat,  says  St.  Laurence  Justinian, 
mediatoris  gerit  officium;  propterea  delinquen- 
Hum  omnium  debet  esse  precator,  Serm,  de  Corp, 
Christi.  So  that  a  Priest  at  the  altar,  according 
to  St.  John  Chrysostom,  stands  between  God 
and  his  creatures,  offers  up  their,  prayers,  and 
obtains  for  them  the  graces  of  heaven :  Medius 
sit  Sacerdos  inter  Deum  et  humanam  naturam, 
illinc  beneficia  ad  nos  deferens,  Hom,  6.  in  2. 
Tim.  ii.  In  the  old  law  the  High  Priest  was 
permitted  only  once  in  the  year  to  enter  into  the 
Sancta  sanctorum,  to  pray  for  the  people  j  but 
now  every  Priest  is  permitted  to  off'er  the  Lamb 
without  spot  to  the  Eternal  Father  every  day,  to 
obtain  for  himself  and  for  the  whole  Church  all 
necessary  graces  and  favors.  Hence,  says  the 
Council  of  Basil :  Si  quis  principem  scbcuH  roga- 
turus,  habitu  honesto,  gestu  decenti,  prolatione 


16 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


non  prcBcipiti,  attenta  quoque  merit e,  seipsum 
studet  componere;  quanto  diligentius  in  sacro 
loco  rogaturus  Deum  hcec  facere  curabit.  Cone, 
Basil,  Sess,  21.  Can,  Quomodo, 


SECTION  II. 


OF   THE  REVERENCE  WITH  WHICH  MASS   OUGHT 
TO   BE   CELEBRATED. 

In  the  second  place,  a  Priest  celebrating 
Mass  ought  to  behave  with  all  the  reverence 
due  to  so  great  a  sacrifice.  To  induce  him  to 
do  this  is  the  intent,  or  at  least  the  principal 
point  of  this  tract.  Let  us  then  see  what  is 
meant  by  reverence.  It  means  first,  a  proper 
attention  to  the  words  of  the  Mass ;  and  secondly, 
an  exact  observance  of  the  ceremonies  prescribed 
by  the  rubrics.  As  regards  attention  to  the 
words,  a  Priest  sins,  by  being  voluntarily  dis- 
tracted during  Mass ;  and  as  divines  say,  if  it  be 
during  the  consecration  and  elevation,  or  during 
a  notable  part  of  the  canon,  he  sins  mortally  ;  so 
the  Roncaglia  teach,  cap,  3.  q.  2.  Reg.  3.,  Con- 
cina  Theol,  Moral,  pag,  516.  num,  13.,  and  Tam- 
burino,  who,  although  lenient,  even  too  lenient 
in  bis  opinions,  yet  speaking  on  this  point,  says  : 


OF  THE  MASS. 


Si  Sacerdos  per  notahile  tempvs  voluntarie  dis- 
tractus  eas  Missm  partes^  qu(B  canonem  continent 
recitet,  peccabit  mortaliter.  Videtur  autem  mihi 
gravis  irreverentia,  qua  quis  dum  projitetur  Deum 
summe  venerari,  cum  illo  irreverenter  'per  volun- 
tariam  distractionem  se  gerat,  Meth.  ceL  Miss, 
cap.  3.  num.  9.  And  I  am  of  the  same  opinion, 
whatever  certain  authors  may  say  to  the  con- 
trary :  because,  waiving  the  question,  whether 
the  interior  intention  is  or  is  not  the  essence  of 
prayer,  1  maintain  that  the  holy  Sacrifice  is  not 
only  an  act  of  prayer,  but  also  a  most  sublime 
act  of  religious  worship,  in  which  a  Priest 
appears  to  commit  great  irreverence,  if,  while  he 
actually  professes  religiously  to  honor  God,  he 
'is  voluntarily  distracted  with  thoughts  of  other 
subjects.  Hence  this  admonition  of  the  rubrics  : 
Sacerdos  maxime  curare  debet,  lit  distincte  et 
apposite  proferat,  non  admodum  festinanter,  ut 
advertere  possit  quce  legit,  etc. 

As  regards  the  performing  of  the  ceremonies 
prescribed  by  the  rubrics  for  the  celebration  of 
Mass,  St.  Pius  V.  in  the  Bull  inserted  in  the 
Missal,  commands,  district e,  et  in  virtute  sanctce 
obedientice,  Mass  to  be  celebrated  according  to 
the  rubrics  of  the  Missal :  Juxta  ritum,  are  the 
words,  modum,  et  normam  in  Missali  prcescrip^- 
tarn.  Hence  Suarez  very  properly  says,  that 
2 


'^iUff^fto^ 


18 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


\3   ' 


the  omission  of  any  ceremony  prescribed  in  the 
rubrics,  such  as  a  sign  of  the  cross,  genuflection, 
icclination,  &c.,  cannot  be  excused  of  venial  sin. 
And  this  is  declared  by  Benedict  XIII.  in  the 
Roman  Council,  (Tit,  15.  cap,  1.)  which  says, 
that  in  the  celebration  of  Mass,  Riius  in  minimis 
etiam,  sine  peccaio  negligi,  vel  mutari  hand  poS' 
sunt,  St.  Teresa  said :  /  would  lay  down  my 
life  for  only  one  of  the  ceremonies  of  the  Church  ; 
and  shall  a  Priest  slight  them  ?  La  Croix  says 
the  same,  lib,  2.  num,  422.  with  Pasqualigo,  if 
the  said  ceremonies  are  performed  in  too  hurried 
a  manner,  or  carelessly,  as  says  F.  Concina  also 
very  properly,  pag,  409.  num,  2.,  speaking  of 
those  who  in  saying  Mass  do  not  touch  the 
ground  with  one  knee  when  they  genuflect,  or 
who,  when  they  should  kiss  the  altar,  only  make 
an  appearance  of  kissing  it,  or  who  do  not  pro- 
perly form  the  crosses  at  the  benedictions  as 
prescribed  in  the  rubrics;  because,  as  Gavant 
(p.  3.  in  Ruhr,  Miss,  tit,  2.)  says  with  Ledesma, 
it  is  the  same  thing  as  to  omit  the  ceremonies 
prescribed,  to  perform  them  improperly  j  accord- 
ing to  the  axiom  of  jurists :  Paria  sunt  non  facere, 
et  male  facere. 

Moreover,  the  learned  in  general,  Wigandt, 
tract.  15,  num,  75,  Roncaglia,  de  Sacr,  Miss, 
cap,  3,.  qucBst.  4,  Concina  and  La  Croix  in  the 


OF  THE  MASS. 


places  already  cited,  say,  that  if  any  one  omits 
a  notable  part  of  the  ceremonies  of  the  Mass, 
although  not  of  the  most  important,  he  cannot 
be  excused  from  grievous  sin.  Such  omissions, 
when  repeated  in  the  same  Mass,  amount  to 
something  grievous  ;  and  therefore  are  grievously 
irreverent  to  the  Holy  Sacrifice.  We  know  that 
even  in  the  old  law,  the  Lord  threatened  with 
many  maledictions  those  Priests,  who  were  care- 
less of  the  ceremonies  of  their  sacrifices,  which 
were  but  figures  of  ours :  Quod  si  audire  nolueris 
vocem  Domini  Dei  tui,  ut  costodias  et  facias  cczre- 

monias venient  super  te  omnes  maledictiones 

istce:  Maledictus  eris  in  civitate,  meledidus  in 

agro Maledictus  eris  ingrediens,  etc.    Deut, 

xxviii.  15,  16,  19. 

Hence,  seeing  the  greater  part  of  Priests  say 
Mass  with  so  much  hurry  and  carelessness  in  the 
performance  of  the  ceremonies,  one  ought  to  weep 
even  with  tears  of  blood.  Well  might  be  applied 
to  such  the  reproach  of  Clement  of  Alexandria 
to  the  Gentile  Priests,  that  they  made  heaven  a 
theatrical  scene,  and  God  the  subject  of  a  comedy : 
0  impietatem  !  Scenam  c(Blum  fecistis,  et  Deus 
factus  est  actus.  Clem,  Aletc,  de  Sac.  Gentil. 
But  why  should  I  say  a  comedy?  Oh,  what 
attention  would  not  such  pay,  if  they  had  to 
recite  a  part  in  a  comedy !    And  in  £j|ying  Mass 


20 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


what  attention  do  tbey  pay  ?  Words  mutilated, 
genuflections  half  made,  acts  of  mockery  rather 
than  of  reverence :  crosses  formed  so  as  that  it 
would  be  impossible  to  know  what  they  meant : 
such  movements  about  the  altar,  and  turnings, 
as  even  to  excite  ridicule  and  laughter :  handling 
the  consecrated  host  and  the  consecrated  chalice 
as  though  they  were  a  piece  of  bread  and  a  glass 
of  wine  :  confouijding  the  words  and  ceremonies 
together,  placing  the  one  before  or  after  the 
other,  contrary  to  the  order  prescribed  by  the 
rubrics ;  the  whole  Mass,  in  a  word,  from  be- 
ginning to  end,  nothing  but  a  tissue  of  careles*- 
ness,  confusion,  and  irreverence. 

And  whence  comes  all  this  ?  It  arises  partly 
from  ignorance  of  the  rubrics,  which  they  neither 
know  nor  endeavor  to  know;  and  partly  from 
anxiety  to  finish  Mass  in  as  short  a  time  as  pos- 
sible. They  seem  to  be  saying  Mass  as  though 
the  Church  were  going  to  fall,  or  the  Turks  were 
coming,  and  they  should  not  have  time  to  fly 
away.  Such  priests,  before  saying  Mass,  will 
sometimes  be  engaged  for  hours  in  worldly 
affairs,  or  in  useless  conversation  in  a  shop,  or 
in  the  sacristy,  and  then  hasten  to  begin  Mass, 
and  attend  to  nothing  but  to  get  through  it  as 
quickly  as  possible.  There  should  be  always 
some  one  at '  hand  to  say  to  such,  as  Father 


OP  THE  MASS. 


n 


Avila,  approaching  the  altar,  once  said  to  a 
Priest  wlio  was  celebrating  in  this  manner: 
^ge  decenter  cum  hoc  pusro,  nam  optimos  habet 
parentes*  God  admonished  the  Priests  of  the 
old  law  to  tremble  with  awe  when  they  ap- 
proached the  Sanctuary  :  Pavete  ad  sanctuarium 
meum.  Lev,  xxvi.  2.  And  shall  the  Priests  of 
the  new  law  celebrating  at  the  altar,  in  the  pre- 
sence of  Jesus  Christ  really  there,  taking  him 
into  their  hands,  offering  him  in  sacrifice,  and 
even  feeding  upon  him,  dare  to  behave  with 
irreverence  ? 

A  Priest  at  the  altar,  as  St.  Cyprian  says,  and 
most  truly,  represents  the  person  of  Jesus  Christ 
himself:  Sacerdos  vice  Christi  vere  fungitur, 
Epist.  63.  ad  Cmcilium.  And  in  the  person  of 
Jesus  Christ  he  says  :  Hoc  est  corpus  .meum.  Hie 
est  calix  sanguinis  m,ei.  But,  Oh  God!  seeing 
the  irreverent  manner  in  which  so  many  Priests 
now  celebrate  Mass,  who  could  say  whether 
they  were  the  representatives  of  Jesus  Christ,  or 
mountebanks  earning  their  livelihood  by  tricks 
of  slight-of-hand  ?  as  it  is  written  in  the  synod 
of  Spalatto :  Plerique  celebrantes  conantur,  non 
ut  Missam  celebrent,  sed  ut  absolvent ;  non  ut 
devotionis  exercitium,  sed  ut  victus  sustenta- 
tionem  habeant ;  ita  ut  Missa  celebratio,  non  tan- 
qttam  Religionis  Mysteria,  sed  ut  lucrandi  ar5 
2*  '  " 


22 


ON  THE  HOLY  BACRIFICE 


in 


qucsdam  exerceatur,  {Apud  Genett.  de  S,  Euchar,) 
And  what  is  still  more  to  be  wondered  at,  or 
rather,  to  be  lamented,  is  to  see  even  Keligious, 
and  some  even  of  reformed  orders,  say  Mass  with 
so  much  haste,  and  with  such  mutilated  cere- 
monies as  would  scandalize  even  idolaters,  and 
scandalize  them  more  than  if  such  Keligious  had 
been  the  most  lax  secular  Priests. 

Hence,  let  Priests  who  celebrate  in  this  un- 
worthy manner,  remember  that  they  not  only  sin 
by  the  irreverence  which  they  commit  against 
the  Holy  Sacrifice,  but  also  by  the  great  scandal 
which  they  give  to  those  who  assist  at  it.  In 
proportion  as  a  devout  Mass  excites  great  devo- 
tion and  reverence  towards  the  sacred  mys- 
teries, (St.  Peter  of  Alcantara  relates  that  the 
Mass  which  he  said  devoutly,  produced  more 
fruit  than  all  the  sermons  of  the  preachers  of 
the  province  in  which  he  then  was ;)  so  does  aij 
in  devout  Mass  destroy  all  devotion  and  rever- 
ence due  to  so  great  a  Sacrifice.  The  Council  of 
Trent  says  that  the  ceremonies  of  the  Mass  have 
been  ordained  by  the  Church  for  no  other  pur- 
pose but  to  instil  into  the  faithful  the  reverence 
which  is  due  to  the  Sacrifice  of  the  altar,  and  to 
the  sublime  mysteries  which  it  embraces:  Care- 
monias,  says  the  Council,  item  adhihuit  (Ecclesia,) 
nt majestas  tanti  Sacrijicii  commendaretur^ 


OF  THE  MASS. 


23 


et  mentes  jidelium  per  hcec  visibilia  religionis  et 
pieiaiis  signa,ad  rerum  altissimnrum,  qua  in  hoc 
Sacrificio  latent ,  contemplat  ionem  excitarentur* 
Trid,  Sess,  22.  c.  5.  But  the  cercnionies,  Tvhen 
irreverently  and  hastily  performed,  not  ouly  do 
not  excite,  but  destroy  the  veneration  of  the 
faithful  for  so  sacred  a  Mystery.  Peter  of  Blois 
says,  that  the  saying  of  Mass  with  but  little  reve- 
rence induces  the  people  to  make  little  account 
of  the  most  Holy  Sacrament :  Ex  inordinatis  et 
indisciplinatis  Sacerdotibus  hodie  dafur  ostentui 
nosircB  redemptionis  venerabile  Sacramentum  Petr, 
Bless,  epist,  ad.  Richer,  And  hence  the  Council 
of  Turin,  in  the  year  1583,  ordained  that  priests 
should  be  well  instructed  in  the  ceremonies  of 
the  Mass.  For  what  end  ?  JVe  populum  sibi  com- 
missum  a  devotione  potius  revocent,  qunm  ad  sa- 
crorum  Mysteriorum  venerationem  invitent. 

How  can  priests  by  saying  Mass  indevoutly 
expect  to  obtain  pardon  for  their  sins  and  favors 
from  God,  if  while  they  are  offering  it  up  to  him 
they  are  offending  him,  and  insult  him  rather 
than  honor  him?  Cum  omne  crimen^  says 
Pope  Julius,  Sacrificiis  deleatur,  quid  pro  delic- 
torum  expiatione  Domino  dabitur,  quando  in  ipsa 
Sacrificii  oblatione  erratur  ?  Can,  Cum  omne, 
de  Consecr,  Dist,  2.  A  priest,  by  not  believing 
in  the  Sacrament  of  the  Eucharist,  would  offend 


24 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


I 


<:\ 


God ;  but  he,  who  does  believe  in  it,  would  oflfend 
him  more,  by  not  treating  it  with  becoming  re- 
spect ;  because  he  would,  by  so  doing,  destroy  it 
in  others  who  saw  him  celebrate  with  such  little 
reverence.  The  Jews  respected  Jesus  Christ 
at  the  commencement  of  his  mission ;  but  when 
they  saw  him  despised  by  the  priests,  they  lost 
all  reverence  for  him,  and  at  last  unanimously, 
with  the  priests,  cried  out :  Tolle,  tolle,  crucifige 
eum.  And  thus  the  laity,  when  they  see  priests 
celebrate  mass  with  disrespect  and  negligence, 
lose  all  esteem  and  veneration  for  it.  As  it  is 
said  above,  when  mass  is  said  with  devotion,  it 
excites  devotion ;  while,  on  the  contrary,  when 
it  is  disrespectfully  celebrated,  it  extinguishes 
ail  devotion  in  those  who  assist  at  it,  and  almost 
their  faith  also.  A  certain  religious  of  great 
credit  related  to  me  a  terrible  example  on  this 
point,  and  we  find  it  also  recorded  by  Seraphin 
Maria  Loddi,  a  Dominican,  in  his  Motivi  per 
celebrare  la  Messa  senza  fretta,  8^c.  There  was 
a  certain  heretic  in  Rome,  who  had  resolved  to 
abjure  his  errors,  and  had  promised  the  Pope 
(Clement  XI.)  to  do  so,  but  having  seen  mass 
celebrated  in  a  certain  church  in  an  indevout 
manner,  was  so  scandalized,  that  he  went  to  the 
Pope,  and  told  hi,3  holiness  that  he  should  not 
now  abjure  his  errors,  for  that  he  was  convinced 


OP  THE  MASS. 


25 


that  neither  priests  nor  the  Pope  himself  believed 
in  the  truth  of  the  Catholic  Church.  But  the 
Pope  told  him  that  the  indevotion  of  one  priest, 
or  of  many  negligent  priests,  could  not  prejudice 
the  truth  of  the  faith  taught  by  the  Church. 
"  Nevertheless,"  replied  the  heretic,  "  if  I  were 
Pope,  and  knew  of  a  priest  saying  mass  so  irre- 
verently, I  would  have  him  burnt  alive :  and 
seeing  as  I  do,  that  there  are  priests  who  cele- 
brate in  this  manner  with  impunity,  even  in 
llomCy  and  in  the  face  of  the  Pope,  I  am  satisfied 
that  the  Pope  himself  does  not  believe."  And 
so  sa3?ing,  he  departed,  and  obstinately  refused 
to  renounce  his  errors.  I  may  add  that  a  certain 
layman,  (this  very  morning,  while  I  am  writing 
this  little  work),  as  one  of  the  brethren  of  our 
congregation  tells  me,  hearing  a  mass  of  this 
kind,  said  to  him  :  Verily  such  priests  and  such 
masses  make  one  lose  one^s  faith. 

Hear  how  the  pious  Cardinal  Bellarmin  la- 
ments over  the  grievous  scandals  arising  from 
the  abuses  coumiitted  by  priests  in  the  celebra- 
tion of  mass,  as  referred  to  by  Benedict  XIY. 
(in  bulla  Annus  qui,  torn,  3»  Bullar,  §  15.) 
Miud  est  etiam  lacrymis  vberrimis  dignum^ 
quod  oh  nonnullorum  Sacerdotum  incuriam,  aut 
impietutem,  sacroscancta  Mysteria  tarn  indigne 
iracteniur,  ut  qui   ilia  trsctant,  videantur  non 


26 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


credere  Mnjestatem  Domini  esse  prcesenfem.  Sic 
enim  aliqui  sine  spiritu,  sine  uffectu,  sine  timore, 
festinatione  incredihili  Sacrum  perjiciunt,  quasi 
fide  Christum  non  viderent,  aut  ah  eo  se  videri 
non  crederent.  Woe  to  such  !  A  certain  priest 
dying  immediately  after  Laving  said  only  his 
first  mass,  Father  Avila  exclaimed,  OA,  what  an 
account  will  he  have  to  give  befo7'e  God  only  for 
this,  his  first  mass  !  And  what  think"  you  would 
Father  Avila  say  of  priests,  who,  perhaps  for 
thirty  or  forty  years,  have  offered  up  the  holy 
sacrifice  in  the  scandalous  manner  which  we 
have  seen  above  ? 

The  following  terrible  example,  on  this  sub- 
ject, is  narrated  in  the  annals  of  the  Capuchin 
Fathers,  (Tom.  1.  ann,  1552.)  There  was  a 
certain  rector  of  a  church,  who  celebrated  mass 
with  much  hurry  and  irreverence.  One  day, 
Father  Matthew  da  Basso,  the  first  general  of 
the  Capuchins,  as  soon  as  this  priest  returned 
into  the  sacristy,  after  saying  mass,  hastened  to 
him,  and  represented  to  him,  how  his  mass  could 
not  edify,  but  must  bring  destruction  upon  the 
Church;  and  on  this  account,  besought  him 
either  to  celebrate  mass  with  more  suitable  grav- 
ity, or  to  abstain  from  saying  it  at  all,  in  order 
to  avoid  giving  more  scandal  to  the  people.  The 
rector  was  so  indignant  at  receiving  this  reproof. 


OF  THE  MASS. 


that  having  soon  cast  off  his  sacred  vestments, 
he  ran  after  the  religious  in  order  to  be  revenged 
upon  him ;  but  not  finding  him,  retired  into  his 
own  house,  where  it  so  happened,  that,  in  a  few 
minutes,  the  miserable  man  was  attacked  by 
persons  who  were  his  enemies,  and  was  so  griev- 
ously wounded  by  them,  that  within  the  space 
of  an  hour,  he  unhappily  died ;  on  which  there 
arose  such  a  terrific  tempest,  as  to  tear  up  oaks 
by  the  roots,  and  carry  herds  of  cattle  into  the 
air.  An  obsessed  person  of  the  neighborhood 
being  exorcised,  declared  that  all  the  demons  of 
that  country  had  been  engaged  together  in  pre- 
venting this  priest  from  being  converted  before 
he  died ;  and  that  having  succeeded,  in  testimony 
of  their  triumph,  they  raised  this  tempest  in  the 
air. 

I  know  not  with  what  conscience  Parish- 
Priests  and  Sacristans  can  admit  Priests,  who  say 
Mass  in  an  irreverent  manner,  to  celebrate  in 
their  churches.  Pasqualigo  says,  that  he  knows 
not  how  to  excuse  from  grievous  sin  those  who 
admit  such  :  Prcelatos  etiam  Regulares  et  Rectores 
Ecclesiarum^  peccare  mortaliter,  si  permittant 
subditos  celehrare  cum  nimia  festinatione  ;  quia 
ratione  muneris  tenentur  curare  ut  cdehratio  con- 
s^ruo  modo  se  habeat.  De  SacrJ.  nov.  Leg.  26. 
And   there  is  no  doubt   but   that   Bisliops   are 


t    i 

pi 


28 


ON  THE  HOLT  SACRIFICE 


i  H 


strictly  bound  to  prohibit,  without  exception,  all 
such  Priests  from  celebrating  the  sacred  mys- 
teries, as  ordained  by  the  Council  of  Trent : 
Decernit  S.  Synodus,  nt  ordinarii  locorum  Epis- 
copi  en  omnia  prohibere,  atque  e  medio  tollere 

sedulo   curent   ac  teneantur,  qucB irreventia  : 

qiiCB  ah  impietate  vix  sejunda  esse  potest iw- 

duxit.  Deer,  de  obser.  iii  celeb,  etc,  Mark  the 
words,  prohibere  curent  ac  teneantur :  from  which 
it  is  evident,  that  Prelates  are  obliged  to  watch 
and  diligently  inform  themselves  how  Mass  is 
celebrated  throughout  their  dioceses  5  and  to 
suspend  from  celebrating  those  Priests  who  say 
it  without  due  reverence.  And  this  holds  good 
even  with  respect  to  Regulars,  inasmuch  as 
Bishops  in  their  regard  are  declared  by  the 
Council  to  be  Apostolic  Delegates :  Ipsi.,.etiam 
ut  Delegati  Sedis  ^postolicce  prohibeant,  man- 
dent,  corrigant,  stntuant,  atque  ad  ea  inviolate 
servanda  censuris  Eccl,  aliisque  pcenis  compel- 
lant,     Trid.  loc.  cit. 

We  now  come  to  inquire  how  much  time  is 
requisite  for  the  saying  of  Mass  in  a  proper 
manner.  F.  Molina  says  {Instruct,  de  Sacr.  tract, 
3.  c.  14.)  that  an  hour  ought  not  to  be  considered 
too  long.  Nevertheless  Cardinal  Lambertini, 
(J\''otif.  29.  n.  30.)  agreeably  to  the  general 
opinion  of  other  authors,   maintains  that   Mass 


OF  THE  MASS. 


29 


ought  not  to  exceed  half  an  hour,  nor  to  be  less 
than  a  third  of  an  hour ;  because,  as  he  says,  it 
cannot  be  celebrated  with  suitable  reverence  in 
less  than  a  third  ;  and  if  prolonged  beyond  half 
an  hour,  it  becomes  tedious  to  those  who  assist 
at  it.  These  are  his  words :  JVb/i  hreviorem 
triente,  nee  longiorem  dimidia  hora  debere  esse 
Missam  ;  quia  breviori  spatio  non  possunt  omnia 
debito  honore  peragi ;  et  longiori,  tcedio  esstt 
adstaniibus.  The  same  is  found  in  the  General 
Capitulum  of  Clerk's  Regular  (p.  1.  c.  3.  art. 
1518.)  JYemo  Missam  longius  horce  semisse 
protrahat,  neque  triente  contrahat.  We  find  the 
same  again  in  the  Constitutions  of  the  Calced 
Carmes  ( p.  1.  c.  5.)  Missa  privata  per  dimidiam 
circiter  horam,  sed  non  ultra^  extendatur.  The 
same  again  in  the  Rules  of  the  Society  of  Jesus  : 
Semihoram  in  faciendo  Sacro  nee  multum  exce- 
dat,  neque  ita  brevis  sit,  ut  illam  non  cxpleat. 
Father  Gobato  {trad.  3  cap,  23.  §  3.  n.  814.) 
speaking  of  the  shortest  time  required  by  the 
learned  for  the  celebration  of  Mass,  says,  it 
is  generally  understood  to  be  about  half  an  hour : 
Breviter,  id  est  circa  dimidiam  horam  ;  vix  enim 
breviori  spatio  possunt  omnia  in  communibus 
Mssis  peragi  cum  debito  decor e  et  devotione. 
And  he  adds,  that  he  should  have  great  difficulty, 


30 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


I' ail 
4; 


l-.t^ 


ordinarily  speaking,  in  believing  that  Mass  could 
be  said  in  a  quarter  of  an  hour :  JVec  acile  quis 
mihi  suadebity  se  communiter  cum  sensu  pietatis 
intra  horoB  qundrantem  finire  Sacrum,  Loc.  cit, 
that  is,  without  many  faults.  Hence  Father 
lioncaglia  (de  Sncrif.  Miss.  cap.  4.)  maintains 
as  certain  that  a  Priest,  who  says  Mass  in  less 
than  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  cannot  be  ex.cused  of 
grievous  sin  :  J^emo  credat  Missam  esse  prolix- 
am^  si  mediam  hoi'am  non  excedat,  et  nimis  brevem, 
ut  saltern  tertiam  partem  hora  non  compleat ;  ut 
communiter  DD.  docent.  Quia  tamen  qui  infra 
quadrantem  Missam  absolvit,  necesse  est  valde 
indevote  celebrare,  plura  confundere,  truncare^ 
vel  saltern  syncopare,  ideo  communiter  dicitur 
peccare  mortaliter.  Ex  hoc  autem  oritur  in 
Episcopis  et  Pralatis  Regularibus  obligatio  sub 
gravi  turpem  hanc  et  scandalosam  celeritatem 
exstirpare.  Pasqualigo  and  others  in  general 
say  the  same,  after  Cardinal  Lambertini  already 
cited,  as  Quarto,  Bisso,  Clericato,  &c.  From  all 
this  it  must  follow,  that  a  Priest  who  celebrates 
any  Mass  in  less  than  a  quarter  of  an  hour  (even 
a  Mass  for  the  dead,  or  of  the  B.  Y.,  de  Sancta 
Maria  in  Sabato)  cannot,  without  great  difficulty, 
not  to  say  impossibility,  be  excused  from  mortal 
sin ;  because  it  is  impossible  to  finish  Mass  in 
less  time  than  a  quarter,  and  not  commit  great 


-^ . 


OF  THE  MASS. 


31 


irreverence  against  the  Holy  Sacrifice,  and  give 
great  scandal  to  the  faithful. 

But  let  us  examine  the  excuses  alleged  by 
Priests  who  commit  such  abuses.  First,  then, 
some  one  may  plead  :  I  say  a  short  Mass,  but  I 
omit  nothing ;  for,  thank  God,  I  am  naturally 
rapid  in  speech  and  in  all  my  movements ;  and 
thus  I  soon  pronounce  all  the  words  and  perform 
all  the  ceremonies  with  exactness.  But  I  reply, 
this  is  not  sufiicient  for  the  proper  celebration 
of  Mass,  merely  to  pronounce  the  words,  and  to 
hurry  through  the  ceremonies.  They  ought  to 
be  performed  with  appropriate  gravity,  which  is 
intrinsically  necessary  in  order  to  the  reverence 
which  is  required  j  otherwise,  if  hastily  performed, 
they  do  not  exhibit  nor  excite  that  reverence 
which  is  due  to  the  holy  Sacrifice;  but,  as  shown 
above,  they  exhibit  great  irreverence  and  cause 
great  scandal  to  the  faithful.  F.  Paulo  Maria 
Quarto  says:  Certum  requiri  tantum  spatium^ 
quod  possit  commode  satis  esse  ad  perjiciendas 
cccremonias  ea  gravitate,  quce  tantum  Sacrifi- 
cium  decet.  Quart,  in  Ruhr.  Lit,  16.  Dub,  6.  Pas- 
qualigo  also  says :  Dicendum  est  sntivs  esse 
decllnare  ad  prolixitatem,  quam  ad  accelerationem, 
quia  ma  jest  as  Saa'ijicii  exigit  potius  ilium  mo- 
dum,  qui  congruit  gravitati  adionis,  quam 
declinationem  ad  opposiium.     De  Sacrif,  q,  229. 


32 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


i- 


1^ 


And  he  gives  as  the  reason,  that,  in  hurrying 
through  the  Mass,  there  may  be  not  only  sin 
but  scandal  also ;  which  would  not  follow  from 
prolonging  it,  but  only  at  most  weari^ivS.i  in 
those  who  were  present.  Qui  Missam  prcecipi- 
tant^  concludes  Quarto  above  cited,  valde  timen- 
dum  est  ne  in  Infernum  pracipitentur. 

Secondly,,  it  may  be  said  that  in  the  condi- 
.  tions  for  properly  celebrating  Mass,  laid  down 
by  divines,  brevity  is  one  :  ^Ite,  breviter,  clare^ 
devote,  et  ej:acte.  But,  I  ask,  why  attend  solely 
to  one  condition,  breviter,  and  pay  no  regard  to 
the  other  two,  devote  and  exacte  ?  Besides,  the 
rubric  clearly  explains  what  is  meant  by  breviter, 
namely,  that  Mass  should  be  said  non  nimis 
morose,  ne  audientes  tcedio  afficiantur.  And  the 
rubric  after  these  words  immediately  adds :  nee 
nimis  festinanter.  Hence  the  continuator  of 
Tourneley  very  properly  says :  Brevis  intelli" 
gitur,  mode  non  destruat  devotionem ;  unde  si 
esset  infra  dimidium  hora,  non  posset  did  devota, 
et  consequenter  male  diceretur.  Yet  he  adds, 
that  the  term  brevis  is  used  in  opposition  to  such 
an  affected  length  of  time  in  saying  Mass  as 
would  weary  those  who  heard  it.  Finally,  the 
same  Author  confirms  what  Pasqualigo  says,  to 
whom  I  have  before  referred  :  Melius  est  decli- 
nare  in  longitudinem,  quam  in  brevitatem,  quia 


^SwitiWtf^ 


OP  THE  MASS. 


33 


cum  longitudine  non  potest  peccari  graviter  et 
scandalum  dari  sicut  in  nimis  hrevi, 

A  certain  Priest,  in  excuse  for  having  said  a 
short  Mass,  once  pleaded  that  St.  Philip  Neri 
said  Mass  in  half  a  quarter  of  an  hour.  But 
with  what  a  want  of  good  sense  !  It  is  true,  as 
related  by  the  author  of  his  life,  that  St.  Philip, 
when  he  said  Mass  publicly,  was  only  a  short 
time  in  celebrating ;  but  the  writer  does  not 
mean  by  a  short  time  half  a  quarter  of  an  hour, 
nor  a  quarter  of  an  hour ;  he  only  meant  that  the 
saint  avoided  that  wearisome  tediousness  which 
the  rubrics  censure.  For  in  the  same  life  we 
read  that  the  saint  celebrated  Mass,  even  in 
public,  with  so  much  devotion  that  he  moved  all 
who  heard  him  to  tears  of  compunction.  By  a 
Mass  of  half  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  he  would  not 
have  moved  others  to  tears,  but  to  laughter  and 
ridicule. 

Thirdly,  it  may  be  said :  the  people  complain 
and  are  impatient  when  Mass  is  long.  In  reply, 
I  would  first  ask,  whether  the  want  of  devotion 
in  the  people  is  to  regulate  the  degree  of  rever- 
ence to  be  paid  to  the  Holy  Sacrifice  ?  Second- 
ly, I  would  answer,  that  if  Priests  said  Mass 
with  becoming  reverence  and  solemnity,  the  peo- 
ple would  be  impressed  with  proper  respect  for 
so  holy  a  sacrifice,  and  would  not  complain  of 
3* 


-i 


34 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


I' 


'\ 


i! 


half  an  hour  in  assisting  at  it.  It  is  because 
Mass  is  but  too  generally  said  hastily  and  careless- 
ly, that  it  does  not  excite  the  people  to  devotion ; 
and,  hence,  following  the  example  of  those  who 
so  celebrate,  they  assist  at  it  indevoutly,  and 
with  but  little  faith.  If  they  see  a  priest  doing 
wrong  for  a  quarter,  or  half  a  quarter  of  an 
hour,  they  arc  disgusted  and  complain.  They 
can  spend  hours  at  a  gaming  table,  or  loitering 
in  the  streets  to  kill  time,  but  are  quite  wearied 
with  a  Mass  of  half  an  hour.  Priests  are  the 
cause  of  all  this  evil :  *dd  vos,  0  Sacerdoies,  saith 
the  Lord,  qui  despicitis  nomen  meum  et  dixistis: 
in  quo  despiximus  nomen  tuum?  In  eo  quod 
dicitis :  Mensa  Domini  despecta  est.  Malach, 
i.  6,  7  ;  the  meaning  of  which  is,  that  the  little 
account  which  Priests  make  of  the  reverence 
due  to  the  Mass,  is  the  cause  why  it  is  not  re- 
spected by  others. 

Wherefore,  my  dear  Priest  of  God,  be  care- 
ful to  say  Mass  in  a  proper  manner,  and  heed 
not  others  who  blame  you.  Be  satisfied  if  God 
praises  you  and  the  angels  who  assist  around  the 
altar.  And  if  any  one,  however  great  a  person- 
age, requests  you  to  say  a  short  Mass,  answer 
him  as  St.  Theotine,  a  Canon  Regular,  replied 
to  Tarasia,  Queen  of  Portugal,  when,  on  account 
of  some  pressing  affairs,  she  requested  him  to 


OF  THE  MASS. 


35 


be  expeditious  in  saying  Mass.  There  is  a 
Queen,  said  the  saint,  in  heaven,  more  exalted 
than  your  majesty,  in  whose  honor  I  am 
about  to  celebrate  Mass  ;  if  your  majesty  cannot 
remain,  go  and  attend  to  your  aiFuirs,  but  I  can- 
not treat  the  Holy  Sacrifice  with  irreverence  by 
shortening  the  time  required  for  ofiering  it.* 
Respondit  aliam  in  calo  esse  Reginam  longe 
7neliorem,  cui  solemnia  jyjissce  peragere  disposue~ 
rat :  in  potestate  ejus  esse  vel  Missam  audire, 
lel  penitm  discedere,  Bolland,  die  18.  Febr, 
But  what  happened  ?  The  Queen,  entering  into 
herself,  sent  for  the  saint,  and  humbly  casting 
herself  at  his  feet,  promised  with  tears  to  do 
penance  for  her  rashness. 

Let  us,  then,  endeavor  to  reform  ourselves, 
if  hitherto  we  have  celebrated  this  great  Sacrifice 
with  but  little  reverence  and  devotion.  Let  us 
consider  how  great  is  the  action  we  are  about 
to  perform,  when  we  are  going  to  celebrate 
Mass  ;  and  let  us  consider  how  great  a  treasure 
of  merit  we  shall  acquire  by  celebrating  it  de- 
voutly. Oh,  what  a  blessing  for  a  Priest  is 
Mass  well  celebrated !  The  disciple  says,  (Serm. 
48.)  Oratio  citius  exauditur  in  Ecclesia  in 
praseniia  Sacerdotis  celebrantis.  And  if  the 
prayer  of  a  secular  is  more  certainly  heard  by 
God  when  offered  up  in  the  presence  of  a  Priest 


36 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


^t' 


i  ■! 


1;: 


celebrating  Mass,  how  much  more  the  prayer  of 
the  Priest  himself,  if  he  celebrates  devoutly  ? 
He  who  says  Mass  every  day  devoutly,  will  re- 
ceive from  God  a  constant  supply  of  heavenly 
light  and  strength  :  Jesus  Christ  will  constantly 
instruct  him  more  and  more,  console  him,  ani- 
•mate  him,  and  bestow  upon  him  all  the  graces 
which  he  desires.  Particularly  after  the  conse- 
cration, a  Priest  may  be  assured  he  will  obtain 
from  our  Lord  whatever  he  asks  for.  The  Ven. 
P.  D.  Antonio  de  Colellis  says  :  "  When  I  con- 
secrate and  hold  Jesus  Christ  in  my  hands,  I 
obtain  whatever  I  desire." 

Lastly,  in  speaking  of  the  respect  which  is 
due  to  Jesus  Christ  offering  himself  in  sacrifice 
in  the  Mass,  I  would  not  omit  the  pre?ept  of 
Innocent  III :  Prmcipimus  quoque  ut  Oratoria, 
Vasa,  Corporalia,  et  vestimenta,  nitida  conser- 
ventur  ;  nimis  enim  videtur  ahsurdum  in  sacris 
negligere,  qucs  decent  in  profanis.  In  Can,  1. 
Reling.  tit,  44.  This  Pope  had  but  too  much 
reason  for  speaking  in  this  manner,  for,  in  truth, 
there  were  those  of  his  day  who  did  not  blush  to 
celebrate,  or  to  cause  others  to  celebrate,  with 
corporals,  mundatories,  and  chalices,  which  they 
would  not  not  have  suffered  to  be  used  at  their 
own  tables. 


OF  THE  MASS. 


87 


SECTION  III. 


OF  THANKSOIVINO  AFTER  MASS. 

Finally,  a  Priest,  after  having  celebrated 
Mass,   must    make    a   thanksgiving.     St.  John 
Chrysostom  says,  that  if  men  expect  us  to  bo 
grateful  for  every  little  favor  which  they  do  us, 
and  to  recompense  them  ;  how  much  more  grate- 
ful ought  we  to  be  to  God  for  the  great  benefits 
which  he  bestows  upon  us,  since  without  any 
view  to  recompense,  but  only  for  our  advantage, 
he  would  have  us  be  grateful  to  him.  Si  homines 
parmim  beneficium  pr(Bstiterint,  expectant  a  nobis 
gratitudinem ;  quanta  magis  id  nobis  faciendum 
in  iis  qucR  a  Deo  accepimus,  qui  hoc  solum  ob  nos- 
iram  utilitatem  imlt  fieri?  Chrysost,  Horn.  26.  in 
cap,  8.  Genes,    If  we,  continues  the  saint,  cannot 
thank  God  as  he  deserves ;  at  least,  let  us  thank 
him  as  much  as  wt  are  able.    But  what  a  misery, 
what  an  abuse,  to  see  Priests,  as  soon  as  Mass 
is  finished,  af^  r  having  received  from  God  the 
honor  of  (    er    g  up  in  sacrifice  to  him  his  own 
beloved  Soi.,  and  after  having  partaken  of  his 
most  sacred  body,  scarcely  entered  into  the  sa- 
cristy, with  their  lips  still  purpled  with  his  blood, 
but  after  a  short  prayer  muttered  between  their 
teeth,  without  devotion,  and  without  attention, 


,#. 


I 


J 


38 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACltlFICE 


immediately  begin  to  talk  of  useless  things,  or 
of  the  affairs  of  the  world,  and  leave  the  church 
to  pass  through  the  streets,  with  Jesus  Christ 
still  present  within  them  in  the  sacramental 
species.  It  would  be  well  to  do  with  such,  what 
Father  Avila  once  did.  Seeing  a  Priest  leaving 
the  church  immediately  after  celebrating  MasSj 
he  sent  two  clerks  with  lights  to  accompany 
him ;  on  which  the  Priest  inquiring  what  Priest 
they  were  going  to  attend,  they  answered :  We 
are  accompanying  the  Blessed  Sacrament  which 
you  carry  within  you.  To  such  might  be  said 
what  St.  Bernard  wrote  to  the  archdeacon  Ful- 
cone  :  Heu  quomodo  Christum  tarn  cito  fastidis  ! 
Epist.  25. 

Many  are  the  devout  books  which  inculcate 
and  enforce  thanksgiving  after  Mass;  but  how 
many  Priests  are  there  who  make  it  ?  those  who 
do  make  it,  may  be  easily  distinguished.  The 
wonder  is,  that  while  some  are  indeed  'diligent  in 
meditation,  and  in  other  devotions,  few  or  none 
remain  after  Mass  to  commune  with  Jesus  Christ. 
Thanksgiving  after  Mass,  ought  not  to  terminate 
but  with  the  day.  Father  Avila  says,  that  the 
time  after  Mass  ought  to  be  considered  as  of  the 
greatest  value.  The  time  after  Mass  is  a  most 
T^recious  time,  in  which  we  may  treat  with  God 
obtain  from  him   treasures   of  grace.     St. 


..a 


:\w 


OF  THE  MASS. 


39 


Teresa  says,  Let  us  not  lose  after  Communion, 
so  fine  an  opportunity  of  treating  with  God ;  his 
divine  majesty  is  not  accustomed  to  repay  those  -. 
ill  with  whom  he  takes  up  his  abode,  when  they 
afford  him  a  suitable  entertainment.  In  another 
place  she  says,  that  Jesus  Christ,  after  commu- 
nion, sits  within  us  as  upon  the  throne  of  graces,^ 
and  says  to  each  of  us,  as  to  th€  blind  man 
whom  he  restored  to  sight,  Quid  vis  ut  tihi 
faciam  ?  As  though  he  said 5  I  am  here,  0  devout 
soul,  to  bestow  upon  thee  my  choicest  graces : 
tell  me,  what  wouldst  thou  that  I  should  do  for 
thee?  •     • 

Moreover,  it  is  the  opinion  of  many  learned 
writers,  of  Suarez,  of  Gonet,  and  of  others,  that 
the  more  the  soul,  after  communion,  during  the 
time  that  the  sacramental  species  remain,  dis- 
poses herself  by  fervent  acts  of  devotion,  the 
greater  are  the  fruits  which  she  reaps  from  it ; 
because  the  Blessed  Sacrament  is  in  the  nature 
of  food,  and  as  corporal  food,  so  long  as  it 
remains  in  the  stomach,  nourishes  the  body ;  so 
with  this  spiritual  and  heavenly  food,  so  long  as 
it  remains  in  the  body,  so  long  does  it  nourish 
the  soul  with  divine  graces,  and  the  more  plen- 
tifully in  proportion  as  the  soul  disposes  herself 
•  to  receive  them  by  continued  acts  of  suitable 
devotion.    Besides,  during  this  time,  every  pious 


40 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


'  -y 


^  i  'i 


act  is  of  greater  value  and  merit,  inasmuch  as 
the  communicant  is  united  to  Jesus  Christ  ac- 
cording to  his  own  words  :  Qui  manducat  meant 
carnem  et  Mbit  meum  sanguinem,  in  me  manet,  et 
ego  in  illo,  Jo,  6.  And  as  St.  Chrysostom  says, 
Jesus  Christ  makes  us  then  one  with  himself: 
Ipsa  re  nos  suum  efficit  Corpus.  And  hence,  acts 
of  piety  and  devotion  are  more  meritorious  then, 
than  at  any  other  time,  because  they  proceed 
from  the  soul  in  union  with  Jesus  Christ. 

On  the  contrary,  our  Lord  will  not  waste  his 
graces  on  the  ungrateful,  as  St.  Bernard  says : 
JVwiquid  non  perit,  quod  donatur  ingratis  ? 
Father  Avila  used  to  spend  two  hours  in  prayer 
and  in  communing  with  Jesus  Christ  after  cele- 
brating Mass.  Oh,  w4th  what  tenderness  and 
affection  does  Jesus  Christ  speak  to  the  soul 
after  communion  I  with  what  endearing  love  does 
he  treat  her !  It  would  not  be  much  for  a  Priest 
to  spend  an  hour  with  Jesus  Christ  after  Mass. 
At  least,  I  beseech  every  Priest  to  spend  half 
an  hour ;  or  at  the  very  least,  a  quarier :  but,  0 
God  !  a  quarter  is  too  little !  St.  Ambrose  says  : 
Verus  minister  Altaris  Deo  non  sibi  naius  est. 
If,  then,  a  Priest,  from  the  time  of  his  ordina- 
tion, belongs  no  more  to  himself,  nor  to  the 
world,  nor  to  his  relatives,  but  to  God  alone ; 
for  whom  ought  he  to  spend  his  whole  life,  but 


J 
I 


fin  t 


!J 


OP  THE  MASS. 


41 


tor  God,  and  particularly  after  communion,  by 
uniting  himself  with  Jesus  Christ. 

In  conclusion,  I  would  say  a  word,  in  passing, 
on  the  question,  whether  it  is  more  pleasing  to 
God  to  say  Mass,  or  to  abstain  from  saying  it 
through  humility.     To  abstain  through  humility 
is  good  ;  but  not  best.     Acts  of  humility  render 
to  God  a  limited  honor ;  but  the  Mass  an  infinite 
honor,  as  coming  from  a  divine  person.     Mark 
what  Ven.  Bede  says :  Sacerdos  non  legitime  im- 
peditus,  celebrare  omittens,  quantum  in  eo  est, 
privat  S.  S,  Trinitatem  gloria,  Angelas  Icetitia, 
peccatores  venia,  justos  subsidio,  in  Purgatorio 
existentes  refrigerio,  Ecclesiam  beneficio,  et  seip- 
sum  medicina.    De  Miss,  Sacrif,    The  glorious 
St.  Cajetan,  being  in  Naples,  and  hearing  that  a 
Cardinal,  a  friend  of  his,  who  had  been  accus- 
tomed to  say  Mass  every  day,  began  to  celebrate 
less  frequently  in  consequence  of  the  multiplicity 
of  affairs  in  which  he  was  engaged,  although  it 
was  during  the  dog-days,  could  not  be  persuaded 
from  going  at  the  risk  of  his  life  to  Rome,  to 
entreat  his  friend  to  resume  his  former  custom 
in  this  jcspect,  and  went,  and  then  returned 
again  to  Naples.     It  is  related  of  Father  John 
of  Avila,  (Vita  al  §  26.)  that  going  on  one  occa- 
sion on  his  way  to  say  Mass  at  a  distant  hermit- 
age, he  became  so  overcome  with  fatigue,  that 


42 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


H  ■ 


despairing  of  being  able  to  reach  the  place, 
which  was  still  at  a  considerable  distance,  he 
began  to  think  of  returning  without  saying 
Mass  J  on  which  Jesus  Christ  appearing  to  him 
as  a  pilgrim,  and  opening  his  bosom  and  show- 
ing him  his  wounds,  particularly  that  in  his 
sacred  side,  said,  "  When  I  was  thus  wounded,  I 
was  much  more  overcome  and  exhausted  than 
thou  art ;"  and  so  saying,  disappeared.  Father 
Avila  roused  himself:  went  forward  and  cele- 
brated Mass. 


I 


1.    ! 


-^ 


1     M 


1      L 

«     ] 
>      I 


s-  V 


■'.^'r*'i-r 


'N 


OF  THE  MASS. 


43 


PR^PARATIO  AD  MISS  AM 

PRO  OPPOllTUNITATE  SACERDOTIS 
FACIENDA. 

Ana,  Ne  Reminiscaris  *  Domine  delicta  nos- 
tra, vel  parentum  nostrorum :  neque  vindiotam 
sumas  de  peccatis  nostris. 

Qua  Ana  in  Festis  dupl,  tantHm  duplicatur, 
et  temp.  Pasch,  additur  in  fine,  Alleluia.  Deindi 
dicuntur  sequentes  P salmi. 

Psalmus  83. .-  v       ' 

QuAM  dilecta  tabernacula  tua  Domine  virtu- 
turn  :  concupiscit,  et  deficit  anima  mea  in  atria 
Domini. 

Cor  meum,  et  care  mea  exultaverunt  in  Deum 
vivum.  . 

Etenim  passer  invenit  sibi  domum :  et  turtur 
nidum  sibi,  ubi  ponat  pullos  suos.  / 

Altaria  tua  Domine  virtutum :  Rex  mens,  et 
Deus  mens. 

Beati,  qui  habitant  in  domo  tua  Domine : 
in  saecula  sseculorum  laudabunt  te.  Beatus  vir, 
cujus  est  auxilium  abs  te  :  ascensiones  in  corde 
suo  disposuit,  in  valle  lacrymarum  in  loco  quern 
posuit. 

Etenim  benedictionem  dabit  legislator,  ibunt 
de  virtute  in  virtutem :  videbitur  Deus  deorum 
in  Sion. 


44 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


Domine  Dens  virtutum  exaudi  orationeui  meam  : 
auribus  percipe  Deus  Jacob. 

Protector  noster  aspice  Deus :  et  respice  in 
faciem  Christi  tui : 

Quia  nielior  est  dies  una  in  atriis  tuis  super 
mjllia. 

Elegi  abjectus  esse  in  Domo  Dei  mei :  magis 
quam  habitare  in  tabernaculis  peccatorum. 

Quia  misericordiam  et  veritatem  diligit  Deus  : 
gratiam,  et  gloriam  dabit  Dominus. 

Non  privabit  bonis  eos,  qui  ambulant  in  inno- 
centia :  Domine  virtutum,  beatus  homo,  qui 
sperat  in  te.     Gloria  Patri.      ,      .     ,..r)  :.iT?* 

Psalmus  84.  .. 

Benedixisti  Domine  terram  tuam :  avertisti 
captivitatem  Jacob. 

Bemisist;.  iniquitatem  plebis  tuae :  operuisti 
omnia  peccata  eorum. 

Mitigasti  omnem  iram  tuam  :  avertisti  ab  ira 
indignationis  tuae. 

Converte  nos  Deus  salutaris  noster  :  et  averte 
iram  tuam  a  nobis.       -      - 

Nu Illiquid  in  seternum  irasceris  nobis  ?  aut 
extendes  iram  tuam  a  generatione  in  genera- 
tionem?  ,. , 

Deus  tu  conversus  vivificabis  nos  :  et  plebs 
tua  laetabitur  in  te.  .,, 


OF  THE  MASS. 


45 


Ostende   nobis  Domine   misericordiam  tuam  : 
et  salutare  tuum  da  nobis. 

Audiam  quid  loquatur  in  me  Dominus  Deus  : 
quoniam  loquetur  pacem  in  plebem  suam. 

Et  super  sanctos  suos :  et  in  eos  qui  conver- 
tuntur  ad  cor. 

Verumtamen  prope    timentes    eum    salutare 
ipsius  ut  inhabitet  gloria  in  terra  nostra. 

Misericordia,  et  Veritas  obviaverunt  sibi :  jus- 
titia,  et  pax  osculatae  sunt.  >   .      .    V    .     - 

Veritas  de  terra  orta  est :  et  justitia  de  coelo 
prospexit.  ^ 

Etenim  Dominus  clabit  benignitatem  :  et  terra 
nostra  dabit  fructum  suum. 

Justitia  ante  eum  ambulabit :  et  ponet  in  via 
gressus  suos. 

Gloria  Patri. 

Psalmus  85. 


Inclina  Domine  aurem  tuam,  et  exaudi  me  : 
quoniam  inops,  et  pauper  sum  ego. 

Custodi  animam  meam,  quoniam  sanctus  sum : 
salvum  fac  servum  tuum,  Deus  mens,  sperantem 
in  te. 

Miserere  mci  Domine,  quoniam  ad  te  clamavi 
tota  die :  laetifica  animam  servi  tui,  quoniam  ad 

te  Domine  animam  meam  levavi. 

4* 


46 


ON  THE  HOLT  SACRIFICE 


v.  W 


Quoniam  tu  Domioe  suavis,  et  mitis  :  et  multac 
misericordise  omnibus  invocantibus  te. 

Auribus  percipe  Domine  orationem  mcam  :  et 
intende  vooi  deprecationis  mesd. 

In  die  tribulationis  mesd  clamayi  ad  te  :  quia 
eXi^adisti  me.  ' 

Non  es^  similis  tui  in  diis  Domine :  et  non  est 
secundum  opera  tua. 

Omnes  gentes  quascumque  fecisti,  venient,  et 
adorabunt  coram  te  Domine :  et  glorificabunt 
nomen  tuum. 

Quoniam  magnus  es  tu,  et  faciens  mirabilia  : 
tu  es  Deus  solus. 

Deduc  me  Domine  in  via  tua,  et  ingrediar  in 
veritate  tua :  lastetur  cor  meum  ut  timeat  nomen 
tuum. 

Confitebor  tibi  Domine  Deus  mens  in  toto 
corde  meo,  et  glorificabo  nomen  tuum  in  aeter- 
num : 

Quia  misericordia  tua  magna*  est  super  me : 
et  eruisti  animam  meam  ex  inferno  inferiori. 

Deus,  iniqui  insurrexerunt  super  me,  et  syn- 
agoga  potentium  quaesierunt  animam  meam :  et 
non  proposuerunt  te  in  conspectu  suo. 

Et  tu  Domine  Deus  misei'ator  et  misericors, 
patiens,  et  multae  misericordiae,  et  verax. 

Eespice  in  me,  et  miserere  mei,  da  imperium 
tuum  puero  tuo :  et  salvum  fac  filium  ancillas  tuse. 


j'» 


i'     >• 


OF  THE  MASS. 


47 


Fac  mecum  signum  in  bonum,  ut  videant  qui 
oderunt  me,  et  confundantrr :  quoniam  tu  Do- 
mine  adjuvisti  me,  et  consolatus  es  md. 

Gloria  Patri.  ^ 

-      -  I       Psalmus  115. 

Credidi,  propter  quod  locutus  sum :  ego  autem 
humiliatus  sum  nimis. 

Ego  dixi  in  excessu  meo  :  Omnis  homo  men- 
dax. 

Quid  retribuam  Domino  pro  omnibus,  quae 
retribuit  mihi? 

Calicem  salutaris  accipiam  :  et  nomen  Domini 
invocabo.  "     * 

Vota  mea  Domino  reddam  coram  omni  populo 
ejus :  pertiosa  in  conspectu  Domini  mors  sanc- 
torum ejus. 

0  Domine  quia  ego  servus  tuus :  ego  servus 
tuus  et  filius  ancilla  tuae. 

Dirupisti  vincula  mea  :  tibi  sacrificabo  bostiam 
laudis,  et  nomen  Domini  invocabo. 

Vota  mea  Domino  reddam  in  conspectu  omnis 
populi  ejus  :  in  atriis  domus  Domini,  in  medio 
ivLi  Jerusalem.  . 

Gloria  Patri. 

*/i  .        Psalmus  129.  a  y   *^ 

rr»?  De  profundis  clamavi  ad  te  Domine  :  Domine 
exaudi  vocem  meam : 


I 


48 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


Fiant  aures  tuae  intendentes,  in  vocera  depre- 
cationis  meae. 

Si  iuiquitatea  observaveris  Domine  :  Domine 
quis  sustinebit  ?  '  • 

Quia  apud  te  propitiatio  est :  et  propter  legem 
tuara  sustinui  te  Domine. 

Sustinuit  anima  mea  in  verbo  ejus  :  speravit 
anima  mea  in  Domino. 

A  custodia  matutina  usque  ad  noctem,  speret 
Israel  in  Domino. 

Quia  apud  Dominum  misericordia  :  et  copiosa 
apud  eum  redemptio. 

Et  ipse  redimet  Israel,  ex  omnibus  iniquitati- 
bus  ejus.     Gloria  Patri. 

Deinde  repel itur  Ana, 

Ne  reminiscaris  Domine  delicta  nostra,  vel 
parentum  nostrorum :  neque  vindictam  sumas 
de  peccatis  nostris. 

Postea  Sacerdos  dicit : 

Kyrie  eleison.  Christe  eleison.  Kyrie  elei- 
son.  Pater  noster.  V.  Et  ne  nos  inducas 
in  tentationem.  E.  Sed  libera  nos  a  male. 
V.  Ego  Dixi,  Domine  miserere  mei.  R.  Sana 
animam  meam,  quia  peccavi  tibi.  V.  Conver- 
tere  Domine  aliquantulum.  R.  Et  deprecare 
super  servos  tuos.  V.  Fiat  misericordia  tua 
Domine  super  nos.     E.  Quemadmodum   spera- 


OF  THE  MASS. 


49 


vimus  in  tc.  V.  Sacerdotes  tui  induantur  jus- 
titiam.  R.  Et  sancti  tui  exultent.  V.  Ab 
occultis  meis  munda  me  Domine.  R.  Et  ab 
alienis  parce  servo  tuo.  V.  Domine  exaudi 
orationem  meam.  R.  Et  clamor  meus  ad  iv 
veniat.  V.  Dominus  vobiscum.  R.  Et  cum 
spiritu  tuo.        , 

.     .     _  Oremus 

AiTRES  tus3  pietatis,  mitissime  Deus,  inclina 
precibus  nostris,  et  gratia  sancti  Spiritus  illu- 
raina  cor  nostrum :  ut  tuis  mysteriis  digne 
ministrare,  teque  geterna  charitate  diligere 
mereamur.  i 

Deus,  cui  omne  cor  patet,  et  omnis  voluntas 
loquitur,  et  quern  nullum  latet  secretum,  purifica 
per  infusionem  sancti  Spiritus  cogitationes  cordis 
nostri :  ut  te  perfecte  diligere,  et  digne  laudare 
mereamur. 

Ure  igne  sancti  Spiritus  renes  nostros  et  cor 
nostrum,  Domine :  ut  tibi  casto  corpore  servia- 
mus,  et  mundo  corde  placeamus. 

Mentes  nostras,  qusesumus  Domine,  Para- 
clitus,  qui  a  te  procedit,  illuminet :  et  inducat 
in  omnem,  sicut  tuus  promisit  Filius,  veritatem. 

Adsit  nobis,  quaesumus  Domine,  virtus  Spi- 
ritus sancti:  quas  et  corda  nostra  clementer 
expurget,  et  ab  omnibus  tueatur  adversis. 


50 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


i  Pi 


Deus,  qui  corda  fidclium  sancti  Spiritus  illus- 
tratioDe  docuisti,  da  nobis  in  eodem  Spiritu  recta 
sapere,  et  de  ejus  semper  consolatione  gaudere. 

CONSCIENTIAS  nostras,  qusosumus  Domine, 
visitando  purifica ;  ut  veniens  Dominus  noster 
Jesus  Christus  Filius  tuus,  paratam  sibi  in  nobis 
inveniat  niansionem.  Qui  tecum  vivit  et  regnat 
in  unitate  Spiritus  sancti  Deus,  per  omnia  saecula 
sreculorum.     Amen. 

ORATIONES 

dicend^  cum  sacerdos  induitur  saoerdota- 
libus  paramentis. 

Citm  lavat  manus,  dicat. 

Da,  Domine,  virtutem  manibus  meis  ad  ab- 
stergendam  omnem  maculam  :  ut  sine  poUutione 
mentis  et  corporis  valeam  tibi  servire. 

Ad  Amid  urn,  dum  ponitur  super  caput,  dicat  : 

Impone,  Domine,  capiti  meo  galeam  salutis, 
ad  expugnandos  diabolicos  incursus. 

Ad  Album,  cum  ed  induitur. 

Dealba  me,  Domine,  et  munda  cor  meum  : 
ut  in  sanguine  Agni  dealbatus,  gaudiis,  perfruar 
sempiternis. 

Ad  Cingulum,  dum  se  cingit, 
PRiECiNGE  me,  Domine,  cingulo  puritatis,  et 


QF  THE  MASS. 


51 


extiDgue  in  lumbis  meis  humorem  libidinis :  ut 
inaneat  in  me  virtus  continentiae,  ct  caatitatis. 

M  Manipulum,  dum  imponitur  brachio  sinisiro. 

Merear,  Domine,  portare  manipulum  fletus 
et  doloris:  ut  cum  exultatione  recipiam  mcr- 
cedem  laboris. 

Jld  Stolam  dum  imponitur  collo, 

Bedde  mihi,  Domine,  stolam  immortalitatis, 
quam  perdidi  in  praevaricatione  primi  parentis : 
et  quamvis  indignus  accedo  ad  tuum  sacrum 
mysterium,   merear   tamen    gaudium    sempiter- 


num. 


^d  Casulam  cUm  assumitur. 


Domine,  qui  dixisti :  Jugum  meum  suave  est, 
et  onus  meum  leve :  fac  ut  istud  portare  sic 
valeam,  quod  consequar  tuam  gratiam.    Amen. 


ORATIONES 

DIOENDiE  AB  EPISCOPO  QUANDO  IN  PONTIFICALI- 

BUS  OELEBRAT. 

Ad  Caligas, 

"Calcea,  Domine,  pedes  meos  in  prsepara- 
tionem  Evangelii  pacis,.  et  protege  me  in  vela- 
mento  alarum  tuarum. 


c      i 


fl 


52 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


Cum  exuitur  Cappa, 

ExuE  me,  Domine,  veterem  hominem  cum 
moribus  et  actibus  suis:  et  indue  me  novum 
hominem,  qui  secundum  Deum  creatus  est  in 
justitia,  et  sanctitate  veritatis. 


u..   r> 


Cum  lavat  manus. 


Da,  Domine,  virtutem  manibus  meis  ad 
abstergendam  omnem  maculam  immundam :  ut 
sine  pollutione  mentis  et  corporis  valeam  tibi 
servire. 


I...- 


Md  Amidum, 


:f..s»- 


Pone,  Domine,  galeam  salutis  in  capite  meo, 
ad  expugnandas  omnes  diabolicas  fraudes  :  iniiui- 
corum  omnium  versutias  superando.  { 


i 


'    -     *  M  Alham, 

Dealba  me,  Domine,  et  a  delicto  meo 
munda  me :  ut  cum  his,  qui  stolas  suas  deal- 
baveruut  in  sanguine  Agni,  gaudiis  perfruar 
sempiternis.  it 

Ad  Cingulum,^ 

Pr^cinge  me,  Domine,  cingulo  fidei,  et  vir- 
tute  castitatis  lumbos  meos,  et  extingue  in  eis 
humorem  libidinis,  ut  jugiter  maneat  in  me  vigor 
totius  castitatis. 


••k 


OF  THE  MASS. 


53 


Ctim  accipit  Crucem  pedoralem, 

MuNiRE  digneris  me,  Domine  Jesu  Christe, 
ab  omnibus  insidiis  inimicorum  omnium,  signo 
sanctissimse  Crucis  tuse :  ac  concedere  digneris 
mihi  indigno  servo  tuo,  ut  sicut  banc  Crucem, 
Sanctorum  tuorum  reliquiis  refertam,  ante  pec- 
tus meum  teneo,  sic  semper  mente  retineam  et 
memoriam  passionis,  et  sanctorum  victorias  mar- 
tyrum.  ;,, 

Ad  Stolam, 

Redde  mihi,  Domine,  obsecro,  stolam  im- 
mortalitatis,  qaam  perdidi  in  praevaricatione 
primi  parentis :  et  quamvis  indignus  accedere 
praesumo  ad  tuum  sacrum  mystenum  cum  hoc 
ornamento,  praesta  ut  in  eodem  in  perpetuum 
merear  Iselari.  ;  ti  ^ - 

Ad  Tunicellam, 

Tunica  jucunditatis,  et  indumento  Isetitise 
induat  me  Dominus.      ^     .m- 

Ad  Dalmaticam, 

Indue  me,  Domine,  indumento  saluti-:,  et  ves- 
timento  Icetitiae,  et  dalmatica  justitiae  circumda 
me  semper.  >  • 

s  ;.      Ad  Chirothecas,  ,  vv. 

Circumda,  Domine,  manus  meas  munditia 
novi  bominis,  quae  de  coelo  descendit :  ut  que- 


54 


ON  THE  HOL.Y  SACRIFICE 


■m 


■.    ':i 


s  1 
f 


ft! 


madmodiim  Jacob  dilectus  tuus,  pelliculis  hoedo- 
rum  opertis  manibus,  paternam  benedictionem, 
oblato  patri  cibo  potuque  gratissimo  impetravit, 
sic  et  oblata  per  manus  nostras  salutari  hostia, 
gratiae  tuae  benedictionem  merear.  Per  Domi- 
num  nostrum  Jesum  Christum  Filium  tuum,  qui 
in  similitudinem  carnis  peccati  pro  nobis  obtulit 
semetipsum. 

Ad  Planetam, 

DoMiNE,  qui  dixisti :  Jugum  meum  suave  est, 
et  onus  meum  leve  :  praesta  ut  illud  portare  sic 
valeam,  quod  possim  consequi  tuam  gratiam. 

Ad  Mitram* 

MiTRAM,  Domine,  et  salutis  galeam  impone 
capiti  meo  :  ut  contrr,  antiqui  hostis,  omniumque 
inimicorum  meorum  insidias  inoffensus  evadam. 

Ad  Annulum  cordis. 

Cordis  et  corporis  mei,  Domine,  igitos  vir- 
tute  decora,  et  septiformis  Spiritus  sanctificatione 
circumda. 

Ad  Manipulum, 

Merear  precor  Domine,  manipulum  portare 
mente  flebili :  ut  cum  exultatione  portionem 
accipiam  cum  justis. 


OP  THE  MASS. 


55 


SJtfou  Mass. 


MEDITATION  I. 

SUNDAY. 

De  stercore  erigens  pauperem,  ut  collocet  eum 
cum  printipibus^  cum  principibus  populi  sui, 
Ps.  cxii.  8.  Consider,  my  soul,  that  God  could 
not  have  made  thee  any  thing  greater  than  what 
he  has  *:^  .  ^o  thee.  To  what  higher  degree  of 
dignity  uoaid  he  have  exalted  thee,  than  to 
appoint  thee  to  he  his  minister  here  below  in  all 
things  pertaining  to  his  greater  glory?  He  has 
admitted  thee  to  approach  his  holy  altar,  and  to 
offer  to  him  in  sacrifice  his  own  beloved  Son. 
Out  of  how  many  has  God  called  thee  to  his 
Priesthood !  From  amongst  countless  numbers 
of  possible  creatures  he  chose  to  create  thee, 
and  brought  thee  into  this  world.  In  prefer- 
ence to  millions  of  infidels  and  heretics  he 
included  thee  within  the  pale  of  his  Church, 
and  made  thee  a  Christian  and  a  Catholic. 
And,  to  crown  all,  he  has  chosen  thee  from 
amongst  millions  of  the  faithful,  and  made  thee 
a  Priest. 


56 


ON  THE  UOLY  SACRIFICE 


I 


Ah !  if  God  had  honored  only  one  man  in 
the  whole  world  with  the  Priesthood ;  if  he  had 
given  power  to  only  one  Priest  to  bring  down 
from  heaven  the  Word  incarnate,  and  to  deliver 
souls  from  hell  by  absolving  them  from  their 
sins,  in  what  estimation  would  such  an  indivi- 
dual be  held!  And  what  return  of  thanks 
would  such  a  Priest  make  to  God  ?  What  would 
he  not  do  through  love,  for  having  been  alone 
selected  from  amongst  men,  to  be  honored  by 
so  exalted  a  dignity  ?  But  remember,  my  soul, 
that  the  number  of  other  Priests  does  not  in  the 
least  diminish  thy  dignity  and  obligations. 

Well  may  God  claim  every  Priest  as  entirely 
his  own.  A  Priest  is  called  in  the  sacred  Scrip- 
ture Homo  Dei,  a  man  who  belongs  to  no  other 
but  God.  The  Priests  of  old  laid  their  hands 
upon  the  victims  which  they  sacrificed,  to  sig- 
nify that  they  were  willing  to  sacrifice  also  their 
own  lives  as  they  sacrificed  those  of  their  vic- 
tims :  and  in  like  manner  the  Priests  of  the  new 
law  extend  their  hands  over  the  Oblata,  to  sig- 
nify that  they  also  ought  to  offer  their  whole 
selves  to  God,  and  even  their  lives,  in  union 
with  that  of  Jesus  Christ,  whom  they  offer  in  the 
Holy  Sacrifice. 

Behold,  thou  art  now  about  to  approach  the 
altar,  and  with  a  few  words  to  call  down  the 


OF  THE  MASS, 


57 


Word  incarnate  into  thy  hands.  At  thy  word 
the  substance  of  bread  and  wine  will  be  changed 
into  the  body  and  blood  of  Jesus  Christ.  Thou 
art  going  to  the  altar  as  the  ambassador  of  the 
who^e  human  race,  to  intercede  with  God  for  the 
Church  and  for  all  mankind.  Prepare  then  thy- 
self with  the  following  affections. 


.  AFFECTIONS. 

Oh,  my  Grod!  how  truly  is  that  sentiment  of 
holy  David  verified  in  me  :  J)e  stercore  erigens 
pauperem,  ut  collocet  eum  cum  principibusy  cum 
principihus  populi  sui.  Behold  I,  a  miserable 
sinner,  who  for  my  many  sins  have  deserved  to 
have  been  long  since  cast  into  hell,  and  trampled 
upon  by  demons,  abandoned  by  all  and  by  thee, 
my  beloved  Lord :  behold,  I  am  now  about  to 
celebrate, — to  offer  to  thee  in  sacrifice  thine  own 
divine  Son.  Behold,  in  a  few  moments,  at  my 
word  the  Word  incarnate  will  descend  upon  the 
altar,  place  himself  in  my  hands,  and  through 
them  offer  himself  up  to  thee,  and  give  me  his 
most  sacred  flesh  to  be  my  food. 

O  God  of  my  soul,  I  a  Priest !  I,  who  have  so 
often  turned  my  back  upon  thee !  I,  who  for  a 
short  apd  poisoned  pleasure  have  exchanged  thy 
friendship  and  renounced  thy  favor  and  love ! 
Why  hast  thou  chosen  me  for  one  of  thy  Priests 
5* 


58 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


in  preference  to  so  many  innocent  and  faithful 
souls  ? 

Alas !  enlighten  me,  0  Lord,  increase  my 
faith.  J^overim  me,  noverim  te.  Grant  me  to 
know  what  thou  art,  who  this  morning  wilt  give 
thyself  to  me :  grant  me  to  know  what  I  am, 
who  am  about  to  receive  thee.  Oh,  through  the 
merits  of  thy  precious  blood,  wash  my  soul  from 
all  its  stains  before  I  approach  the  altar !  Par- 
don me,  0  Jesus,  before  thou  placest  thyself  in 
my  hands,  and  descendest  into  my  breast.  I 
have  indeed  offended  and  disgusted  thee,  my 
sovereign  good ;  but  I  am  sorry  with  my  whole 
soul  for  having  done  so. 

I  believe,  my  Redeemer,  that  thou  art  the 
Son  of  God,  that  thou  didst  die  for  me,  and 
didst  leave  thyself  in  the  most  blessed  Sacra- 
ment to  be  offered  by  the  Priests  of  the  new 
law  in  sacrifice,  and  to  become  our  food.  Con- 
fiding in  thy  sufferings  and  promises,  I  hope 
ever  to  love  thee  for  the  future,  and  to  possess 
thee  for  all  eternity.  I  love  thee,  my  dear 
Redeemer,  I  love  thee  more  than  I  love  myself; 
and  because  I  love  thee,  I  am  sorry  with  my 
whole  heart  for  all  my  offences  against  thine 
infinite  goodness.  (These  four  acts  of  Faith, 
Hope,  Chanty,  and  Contrition,  may  be  repeated 
every  day  immediately  before  the  celebration  of 


OF  THE  MASS. 


59 


Mass;  and  this,  although  meditation  has  been 
made.)  I  love  thee,  my  God,  but  I  love  thee 
not  enough ;  I  desire  to  love  thee  as  much  as  a 
Priest  ought  to  love  thee  :  I  desire  to  receive 
thee  \9ith  the  same  love  as  so  many  pious  souls 
receive  thee,  who  do  really  love  thee. 

I  offer  to  thee,  0  Eternal  Father,  this  sacri- 
fice in  thanksgiving  for  all  the  benefits  bestowed 
upon  mankind,  more  especially  upon  the  sacred 
humanity  of  Jesus  Christ,  upon  the  Blessed 
Virgin,  upon  my  Angel  guardian,  and  upon  all 
the  saints  my  advocates  ;  and  through  the  merits 
of  thy  Son  I  beseech  thee  to  grant  me  final  per- 
severance, thy  love,  and  all  those  other  graces 
which  Jesus,  Mary,  and  the  saints  my  advocates 
intercede  for  in  my  behalf.  ^ 

^s  regards  our  neighbors,  it  will  be  well  to 
recommend  them  in  the  Mass  as  mentioned  in 
the  following  Mementos. 


MEMENTO  OF  THE  LIVING. 

1.  I  recommend  to  thee  the  Sovereign  Pon- 
tiflf,  all  prelates,  confessors,  preachers,  priests  ; 
grant  them,  0  Lord,  zeal  and  strength  to  pro- 
mote the  salvation  of  souls. 

2.  My  parents,  relations,  friends  and  enemies ; 
those  who  are  on  their  death-bed  and  are  near 
their  end  :  the  souls  in  Purgatory  :  all  the  faith- 


60 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


m 


ful  in  thy  grace :  grant   them,   0  Lord,  perse- 
verance and  fervor  in  thy  love. 

^.  Infidels,  heretics  and  sinners ;  grant  them 
light  and  strength,  that  all  may  know  and  love 
thee. 

MEMENTO  OF  THE  DEAD. 

1.  I  recommend  to  thee  the  souls  of  my  pa- 
rents, henefactors,  friends,  and  enemies,  arid  of 
those  who  on  my  account  are  suflfering  the  pains 
of  Purgatory. 

2.  The  souls  of  Priests,  particularly  of  such 
as  have  been  missionaries. 

3.  The  souls  of  those  who  have  been  parti- 
cularly devout  to  the  Passion  of  Jesus  Christ, 
and  to  the  most  blessed  Sacrament,  and  to  the 
Blessed  Virgin  ;  such  souls  as  are  most  forgot- 
ten ;  those  who  suffer  the  most,  and  those  who 
are  nearest  entering  into  heaven. 

These  Mementos  should  be  repeated  on  the  other 
days  of  the  week,  at  least  by  intending  to  recom- 
mend all  here  mentioned. 


(  i 


rr 


MEDITATION  II. 

,  MONDAY. 

Hoc  facite  in  meam  commemorationem,  Luc, 
xxii.  19.  The  first  divines  hold  that,  according 
to  this  text,  a  Priest  is  obliged  in  celebrating 


OF  THE  MASS. 


61 


Mass  to  commemorate  the  death  of  Jesus  Christ. 
And  they  deduce  the  same  from  that  which 
the  apostle  requires  from  all  who  receive  the 
holy  communion :  Quotiescumque  manducabitis 
panem  hunc  et  calicem  bibetis  :  mortem  Domini 
annuntiabitis,  1  Cor-  _  .  St.  Thomas  says  that 
our  Blessed  Redeemer  bequeathed  to  us  the 
most  holy  Sacrament  for  this  purpose,  to  keep 
up  in  us  a  continual  remembrance  of  all  the 
good  he  has  done  for  us,  and  of  the  love 
which  he  has  shown  us  by  dying  for  us  :  Ut 
autem  tanti  beneficii  jugis  in  nobis  maneret  me- 
moria,  corpus  suum  in  cibum,  et  sanguinem^  in 
potum  fidelibus  dereliquit.  Opus  c,  57.  Led,  4. 
Hence,  the  same  holy  Doctor "  calls  the  Sacra- 
ment of  the  altar  Passionis  memoriah. 

Consider  then,  my  soul,  that  the  most  sacred 
Victim  whom  thou  art  about  to  sacrifice,  is  the 
same  Lord  who  shed  his  blood  and  laid  down 
his  life  for  thee. 

But  the  Mass  is  not  only  a  commemoration 
of  the  Sacrifice  of  the  cross,  it  is  the  self-same 
Sacrifice,  inasmuch  as  He  who  offers  it  is  the 
same,  and  the  Victim  is  the  same — the  Word 
incarnate;  they  differ  only  in  the  manner  of 
offering  ;  the  one  was  offered  in  a  bloody  man- 
ner, the  other  is  offered  in  an  unbloody  manner  3 
in  the  one  Jesus  Christ  died  really,  in  the  other 


62 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


lit 


3  <  M 


he   dies   mystically.     Una   enirriy  eademque   est 

hostia sola  offerendi  rat  tone  diver  sa.    Trid, 

Sess.  22.  c.  2.  When,  therefore,  thou  cele- 
bratest  Mass,  imagine  thyself  to  be  on  Mount 
Calvary,  offering  to  God  the  blood  and  life  of 
His  only  Son.  And  when  thou  receivest  the 
holy  Communion,  imagine  that  thou  art  nourish- 
ing thyself  with  the  precious  blood  which  flows 
from  the  wounds  of  thy  agonizing  Saviour. 

Consider,  moreover,  that  in  every  Mass  is 
renewed  the  work  of  redemption,  so  that  if  Jesus 
had  never  died  on  the  cross,  the  celebration  of 
a  single  Mass  would  obtain  for  the  world  the 
same  benefits  as  were  obtained  by  the  death  of 
our  Redeemer.  Tantum  valet,  writes  the  dis- 
ciple, celehratio  Mi'ssce,  quantum  mors  Christi 
in  cruce.  Thus  by  means  of  the  Sacrifice  of  the 
altar,  are  applied  to  mankind,  and  more  plenti- 
fully to  Priests  who  ofi'er  it,  all  the  merits  of 
the  passion. 

Hence,  St.  Francis  of  Assisium,  (who,  esteem- 
ing himself  unworthy  of  being  raised  to  the 
Priesthood,  was  only  a  Deacon,)  admonishes 
Priests  to  detach  themselves  from  all  worldly 
things,  and  to  seek  only  to  know  and  love  God, 
who  has  so  loved  and  honored  them ;  and  he 
adds,  that  great  indeed  is  the  unhappiness  of 
tliose  Priests,  who,  having  Jesus  so  immediately 


OF  THE  MASS. 


68 


present  to  them  on  the  altar,  are,  nevertheless, 
attached  in  affection  to  some  worldly  object : 
Videte,  Sacerdotes,  are  the  saint's  words,  dignu 
totem  vestram,  et  sicut  super  omnes  propter  hoc 
mysterium  honoravit  vos  Dominus ;  ita  et  vos 
diligite  eum  et  honorate,  Magna  injirmitas, 
quando  Jesum  sic  prcesentem  habetis,  et  aliud  in 
toto  mundo  curatis,  < 

AFFECTIONS. 

I  am  unworthy,  0  Lord,  to  appear  before 
thee,  but  relying  on  thy  goodness,  by  which, 
notwithstanding  my  unworthiness,  thou  hast 
chosen  me  for  one  of  thy  Priests,  I  come  this 
morning  to  offer  thee  thine  only  Son.  I  offer  him 
to  thee  ;  I  offer  him  as  the  Lamb  without  spot, 
in  satisfaction  for  my  sins,  and  for  those  of  all 
mankind.  Ecce  Jlgnus  Dei,  Behold  the  Lamb 
that  was  once  sacrificed  for  thy  glory,  and  for 
our  salvation,  on  the  altar  of  the  cross.  For 
the  love  of  a  victim  so  dear  to  thee,  apply  his 
merits  to  my  soul,  and  pardon  me  all  the  great 
and  venial  offences  that  I  have  hitherto  com- 
mitted against  thee.  I  am  sorry  for  then!  with 
my  whole  heart,  because  they  have  offended 
thine  infinite  goodness. 

And  do  thou,  my  Jesus,  come  and  wash  away 
all  my  stains  with  thy  precious  blood,  before  I 
receive  thee  this  morning :    Domine,  nan  sum 


i 


64 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


dignns  ut  intres  sub  tectum  meum  ;  sed  tantu/n 
die  verbo,  et  sanabitur  anima  mea,  I  am  not 
worthy  to  receive  thee,  but,  0  heavenly  physi- 
cian, with  one  word  thou  canst  heal  all  my 
wounds.     Come  and  heal  me. 

■  Erravi,  sicut  ovis  qucB  periit,  I  am  the  un- 
happy sheep  that  would  wilfully  ruin  myself  by 
flying  from  thee,  my  Eedeemerj  but  thou  art 
that  good  Pastor  who  hast  given  thy  life  to  save 
me.  Quaere  servum  tuum,  quia  mandata  tua  non 
sum  oblitus.  Seek  after  me,  0  Jesus,  and  do 
not  abandon  me.  Seek  after  me,  and  lay  me  on 
thy  shoulders  j  for  I  desire  to  serve  and  love 
thee  to  the  utmost  of  my  power. 

Thou  hast  said :  Oves  mece  vocem  menm  au- 

diunt et  non  rapiet  eas  quisquam  de  mcmu 

mea.  Thou  callest  me  to  thy  love ;  behold,  I 
leave  all  and  come  to  thee,  my  life.  I  desire  to 
obey  thee  in  all  things.  I  renounce  all  worldly 
pleasures,  since  thou  art  pleased  this  morning 
to  give  me  thy  sacred  flesh  to  be  my  food. 

I  love  thee,  O  my  Jesus,  above  every  good, 
and  *I  desire  to  receive  thee,  that  I  may  love 
thee  more  and  more.  Thou  givest  thyself  en- 
tirely to  me ;  behold  I  give  myself  entirely  to 
thee.     Thou  shalt  be  for  ever  my  all,  my  only 

good,  my  only  love. 

0  Mary,  my  mother,  obtain  for  me  a  share 


OF  THE  MASS. 


65 


of  the  humility  and  fervor  with  wkich  thou  didst 
receive  Jesus  in  the  holy  comm anion. 


MEDITATION  III. 

TUESDAY. 

Hie  estfilius  mens  diledus,  in  quo  mihi  bene 
complacui,  MattL  xvii.  5.  In  the  old  law 
God  was  honored  by  many  sacrifices  j  but  in  the 
new  law  he  is  more  honored  by  one  single  Mass 
than  by  all  the  ancient  sacrifices,  which  were 
but  figures  and  shadows  of  our  sacrifice  of  the 
altar.  God  is  honored  by  the  holy  Mass  as  he 
deserves  to  be  honored,  because  by  it  is  re- 
newed the  same  infinite  honor  which  Jesus  Christ 
rendered  to  him  by  offering  himself  in  sacrifice 
on  the  cross.  A  single  Mass  gives  more  honor 
to  God  than  can  ever  be  given  to  him  by  all  the 
prayers  and  austerities  of  the  saints,  all  the 
labors  and  fatigues  of  the  apostles,  all  the  tor- 
ments of  the  martyrs,  and  all  the  adoiiirii-ns  of 
the  seraphim,  and  of  the  Mother  of  God.  My 
soul,  God  desires  to  receive  this  honor  at  thy 
hands  this  morning. 

It  is  also  just  that  God  should  receive  thanks 

for  the  immense  benefits  which  in  his  goodness 

he  has  bestowed  upon  us.     But  how  can  we, 

miserable    creatures,    make    him    a    return  of 

6 


66 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


i!r! 


thanks?  If  the  Lord  had  bnt  only  once  given 
us  a  single  token  of  his  affection,  he  would  have 
deserved  for  it  an  infinite  acknowledgment,  as 
being  a  favor,  a  gift  from  an  infinite  God.  But, 
behold  he  has  provided  us  with  the  means 
by  which  we  may  discharge  our  obligations  to 
him,  and  make  him  a  suitable  return  of  thanks- 
giving. By  what  means  ?  By  offering  to  him 
Jesus  Christ  in  the  Mass ;  for  by  this  will  God 
be  fully  requited  and  satisfied. 

This  great  victim  which  is  offered  to  him  is 
his  only  Son,  in  whom  he  is  always  well  pleased. 
It  is  the  Sacrifice  of  the  life  of  a  God,  who,  in 
the  Consecration  and  Communion  is,  by  a  mys- 
tical death,  sacrificed  to  him.  Thus  did  David 
return  thanks  to  God  for  all  his  favors :  Quid 
retribuam  Domino  pro  omnibus  quoB  retribuit 
mihi?  Calicem  salutaris  accipiam.  Ps,  cxv. 
12.  And  thus  did  Jesus  himself  give  thanks  to 
his  heavenly  Father  for  the  benefits  bestowed 
on  all  mankind :  Et  accepto  calice  gratias  egit 
et  dixit:  Accipite  et  dividete  inter  vos,  Luc. 
xxii.  17. 

AFFECTIONS. 

0  MY  Creator  and  my  God,  how  couldst  thou 
ever  choose  me  to  honor  tliee  by  the  Sacrifice 
of  thy  Son — mo  who  have  hitherto  so  often 
dishonored  thee  by  the  offences  which  I  have 


OP  THE  MASS. 


67 


committed  against  thee  ?  In  lieu  of  punishing 
me  in  hell,  thou  hast  honored  me  with  the  Priest- 
hood, and  made  me  a  minister  of  thy  glory. 

Since  then  thou  deignest  and  art  pleased  to 
receive  this  great  Sacrifice  at  my  hands,  I  unite 
my  poor  heart  with  the  heart  of  Jesus  Christ, 
and  in  his  name  I  offer  him  to  thee  in  acknow- 
ledgment of  thy  supreme  dominion.  I  desire  to 
see  thy  infinite  majesty  adored  and  loved  by  all 
mankind.  May  the  honor  which  I  this  morning 
offer  thee  by  the  sacrifice  of  thy  Son,  make 
amends  for  all  the  dishonor  which  men  have 
offered  thee,  and  still  offer  thee  by  their  sins. 

I  intend  also  by  this  Mass  to  return  thee 
thanks  for  all  tHe  benefits  bestowed  upon  the 
whole  world ;  and  especially  upon  me,  a  miserable 
sinner,  who,  by  my  ingratitude,  have  deserved 
to  be  abandoned  by  thee.  I  have  added  to  my 
sins,  and  thou  hiist  increased  the  number  of  thy 
favors  upon  me.  I  thank  thee,  0  infinite  good- 
ness ;  rather  will  I  say,  may  Jesus  Christ  thank 
thee  for  iiie. 

Alas,  O  Lord,  through  the  merits  of  Jesus 
Christ,  enlighten  me  this  morning,  inflame  me 
with  thy  love,  and  detach  me  from  the  earth ; 
suffer  me  not  any  longer  to  withstand  the  many 
allurements  of  thy  love.  I  love  thee,  my  sover- 
eign good,  with  my  whole  heart.     I  desire  to 


68 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


leave  all  to  please  thee,  my  God,  who  art  worthy 
of  infinite  love.  0  discover  to  me  more  and 
more  the  greatness  of  thy  goodness,  that  I  may 
love  thee  more  and  more,  and  labor  to  please 
thee  in  all  things  without  reserve. 

Thou  hast  shown  thyself  enamored  of  my  soul : 
and  shall  1  be  able  to  love  any  other  but 
thee?  No,  my  Lord,  from  this  day  forward 
I  desire  to  live  only  for  thee ;  I  desire  to 
love  only  thee,  who  indeed  art  worthy  of  all 
my  love.  0  Eternal  Father,  I  hope  through 
the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ,  that  thou  wilt  give 
eflFect  to  these  my  desires  by  thy  holy  grace. 
Thou  didst  bestow  great  favors  upon  me,  even 
when  I  fled  from  thee  ;  much  greater  may  I  now 
hope  from  thee,  now  that  I  seek  thee,  and  desire 
nothing  but  to  love  thee.  0  Mary,  my  Mother, 
thou  who  didst  bear  in  thy  sacred  womb  the 
God  whom  I  am  about  to  receive  this  morning, 
do  thou  help  me  to  receive  him  with  humility 
and  love. 


OP  THE  MASS. 


69 


MEDITATION  IV. 


WEDNESDAY. 


Ipse  est  propitiatio  pro  peccatis  nostris,  1 
Joan^  11.  2.  Consider  that  the  punishments 
due  to  sin  are  remitted  by  the  sacrifice  of  the 
altar,  and  immense  mercies  obtained  in  favor  of 
poor  sinners.  What  would  become  of  us,  if  we 
had  not  this  great  sacrifice,  by  which  divine  jus- 
tice is  induced  not  to  inflict  upon  us  the  chas- 
tisements so  justly  due  to  our  sins  I  Assuredly 
all  the  sacrifices  of  the  old  law  could  never  have 
appeased  the  anger  of  God  against  sin.  JVum- 
quid  placcare  potest  Dominus  in  millibus  arietum  ? 
Mich.  vi.  7.  Although  all  the  lives  of  men 
and  angels  had  been  sacrificed,  they  could  not 
have  made  an  adequate  satisfaction  to  divine 
justice  for  a  single  sin  committed  by  a  creature 
against  his  Creator.  Only  Jesus  Christ  could 
satisfy  for  our  sins.  Ipse  est  propiiiatio  pro  pec- 
catis nostris.  And,  on  this  account,  did  th^  Eternal 
Father  send  him  into  this  world,  that,  becoming 
man,  and  offering  his  life  in  sacrifice  upon  the 
cross,  divine  justice  might  be  appeased  for  the 
sins  of  men.  And  this  Sacrifice  is  renewed  in 
every  Mass  that  is  celebrated. 

Consider  then,  0  my  soul,  how  great  is  thy 
office — that  of  mediator  between  God  and  man. 


W  ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 

that  of  oflferiDg  to  him  upon  the  altar  the  life 
and  merits  of  Jesus  Christ,  in  order  to  move  him 
to  bestow  upon  sinners  light  and  strength  to  be 
converted,  and  to  obtain  the  pardon  of  their  sins. 
Hujus  quippe  oblatione  olicatus  Dominus,  gra- 
Ham  et  donum  poBJiitent.x  concedens,  crimina  et 
peccata  etiam  ingentia  dimittit,  Trid.  S.  3.  22. 
c,  2.  How  much  more  powerfully  does  the  voice 
of  the  innocent  blood  of  our  Redeemer  plead  for 
mercy  in  our  behalf,  than  did  the  blood  of  Abel 
for  vengeance  against  his  murderer  Cain  !  Ac- 
cessisHs  ad  mediatorem  Jesvm,  et  sanguinis  as- 
persionem  melius  loqueniem  quam  Mel,  Hebr, 
xii.  24.     • 


AFFECTIONS. 

0  sovereign  God,  thou  art  angry  against  sin- 
ners, and  thou  hast  but  too  great  reason  for 
being  so,  seeing  they  repay  with  ingratitude  the 
immense  love  which  thou  hast  shown  them.  But 
if  the  sins  of  the  world  are  great,  much  greater 
is  the  offering,  the  gift,  which  I  am  this  morn- 
ing about  to  present  to  thee.  JVbn  sicut  delictum, 
ita  et  donum,  Rom.  iii.  15.  I  am  about  to 
offer  thee  this  morning  the  Sacrifice  of  thine  own 
Son  ;  that  Victim,  with  which  thou  art  always 
well  pleased,  which  ever  appeases  thee,  and 
moves  thee  to  take  compassion  on  all  poor  sin- 


■aMa 


OP  THE  MASS. 


71 


ners,  who  either  do  not  know  thee,  or  knowing 
thee  do  not  love  thee,  and  are  deprived  of  thy 
grace.  Give  them  light  and  strength  to  arise 
from  the  raiserable  state  in  which  they  are 
blindly  living. 

I  beseech  thee  for  all,  but  especially  for 
myself,  who  although  more  favored  by  thee  than 
others,  have  been  more  ungrateful  to  thee,  and 
have  offended  thee  more,  and  disregarded  thee 
more.  For  the  love  of  Jesus  Christ,  pardon 
me,  0  God,  all  my  sins,  mortal  and  venial; 
all  my  impatience,  untruths,  intemperance,  dis- 
tractions and  negligences  in  Mass,  in  the  Divine 
Office,  and  at  my  prayers ;  for  I  am  sorry  for* 
them  all,  because  they  have  been  offensive  to 
thee,  who  art  infinite  goodness  and  worthy  of 
infinite  love  from  all,  but  especially  from  me,  a 
Priest. ' 

I  love  thee,  0  infinite  goodness,  I  love  thee 
above  all  things;  and  I  promise  thee  rather  to 
die  than  again  wilfully  give  thee  the  least  offence. 
Ah,  my  Jesus,  thy  death  and  thy  blooa  are 
my  hope !  I  beseech  thee  through  thy  sacred 
merits,  to  grant  me,  and  I  hope  through  them 
to  obtain  the  grace  of  ever  being  faithful  in 
loving  thee  with  my  whole  heart,  and  in  loving 
none  other  but  thee.     Accompany  me,  0  most 


s 


i 


'       i 


11  n. 


72 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


holy  Mother,  with  thy  patronage  and  assistance, 
"while  I  oflfer  to  God  this  great  Sacrifice. 


MEDITATION  V. 


THURSDAY. 


|,    H'J 


In  omnibus  divites  facti  estis  in  illo.  1  Cor  i. 
6.  Consider,  how,  hy  means  of  the  holy  Mass, 
God  is  induced  to  listen  more  favorably  to  the 
prayers  of  the  Priesthood.  God  at  all  times, 
whenever  he  is  besought  through  the  merits  of 
Jesus  Christ,  difT'mscs  his  graces ;  but,  says 
St,  John  Chrysostom,  during  the  holy  Sacrifice 
of  the  Mass  he  dispenses  them  more  abundantly 
through  the  prayers  of  the  Priesthood  ;  because 
these  ascend  before  him  rendered  meritorious 
and  accompanied  by  the  prayers  of  Jesus  Christ, 
who  is  the  principal  Priest,  offering  himself  in 
this  Sacrifice  in  order  to  obtain  graces  for  us. 

Secondly,  the  Council  of  Trent  says,  that 
the  time  of  the  celebration  of  Mass  is  especially 
the  time  in  vhich  the  Lord  sits  on  the  throne 
of  grace,  to  which  the  Apostle  exhorts  us  to 
go  with  confidence  in  order  to  obtain  mercy  and 
to  find  grace.  Adeamus  ergo  cum  fiducia  ad 
thronum  graticB,  ut  misericordian^  consequnmur, 
et  gratiam  inveniamus    in  auxilio    opportuno. 


% 


OP  THE  MASS. 


73 


« 


luno. 


Hebr,  iv.  6.  St.  Chrjsostom  (Horn,  3,  de  In- 
compr,  Dei)  says,  that  even  the  angels  look  for- 
ward to  the  time  of  Mass,  that  they  may  inter- 
cede more  efficaciously  in  our  hehalf ;  and  he 
iiidds,  that  what  is  not  obtained  during  Mass,  is, 
with  great  difficulty  obtained  at  any  other  time. 

Oh  wh^-t  treawures  of  grace  may  a  Priest 
obtain  for  himself  and  for  others,  by  praying  to 
the  Lord  with  confidence,  while  he  is  celebrating 
at  the  altar.  The  Ven.  F.  Antonio  de  Colellis, 
said  :  "  When  I  celebrate  and  hold  in  my  hands 
Jesus  Christ,  I  obtain  from  him  whatever  I  de- 
sire." 

In  a  word,  St.  Paul  says,  that  in  Jesus  Christ 
we  obtain  all  riches,  all  graces,  if  through 
his  merits  we  ask  them  of  the  Father.     In  om^ 

nibus  divites  fadi  estis  in  illo it  a  ut  nihil 

vobis  desit  in  ulla  gratia,  1  Cor,  i.  5.  7.  But 
this  more  especially  holds  good,  when  the  priest 
is  honoring  God,  and  delighting  him  by  oflPering 
to  him  in  sacrifice  his  own  beloved  Son.  And 
if  the  Father  has  given  to  us  his  own  Son  in  the 
most  holy  Sacrament  by  means  of  the  Mass, 
how  can  he,  after  having  thus  given  us  his  Son, 
refuse  us  any  other  favor  ?  Quomodo  non  etiam 
cum  illo  omnia  nobis  donavit  ?     Rom,  viii.  32. 


74 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


p 


AFFECTIONS. 

0  HOW  miserable  have  I  hitherto  been  !    How 
many  graces,  0  my  God,  have  I  lost  through 
my  negligence  in  not  seeking  for  them  during 
the  Masses  that  T  have  celebrated !     But  since 
thou  hast  been  pleased  to  enlighten  me,  I  "will 
no  longer  be  thus  negligent.     I  unite,  therefore, 
0  Eternal  Father,   my   prayers   with  those    of 
Jesus  Christ,  and  for  the  love  of  this  thy  Son, 
whom  I  am  this  morning  about  to  offer  thee,  I 
beseech  thee  first  to  grant  me  the  pardon  of  all 
my  sins,  for  which  I  am  sorry  with  my  whole 
heart.     And  then  grant  me  the  grace  to  know 
how  infinitely  thou  deservest  to  be  loved,  and 
how  great  is  my  obligation  to  love  thee  for  thy 
infinite  goodness,  and  for  that  great  love  which 
thou  hast  borne  me  ;  and  give  me  strength  to 
detach  myself  from  all  earthly  affections,  and  to 
employ  my  whole  heart  in  loving  thee  alone,  my 
sovereign  good,  who  hast  so  loved  me.     I  be- 
seech thee  also  to  enlighten  those  who  do  not 
know  thee,  and  who  are  deprived  of  thy  friend- 
ship.    Give  to  all  thy  grace.     Give  to  all  a  holy 
fear  of  thee.     0  infinite  love  of  my  God,  make 
thyself  known,  make  thyself  loved. 

And  thou,  my  dear  Saviour,  make  me  before 
I  die  entirely  thine,  and  never  permit  me  to  be 


I 


or  THE  MASS. 


75 


separated  from  thee.  Ah  my  Jesus,  so  long  as  I 
live  I  am  exposed  to  this  danger.  I  desire  never 
more  to  lose  thee.  Pray  to  thy  Father  rather 
to  take  away  my  life  than  that  I  should  again 
be  so  unhappy  as  to  turn  my  back  upon  thee. 
Pray  that  I  may  ever  be  more  and  more  united 
to  thee  by  divine  love,  who  hast  done  so  much 
to  oblige  me  to  love  thee.  Jesus,  thou  art  my 
hope  and  my  love.  Grant  that  as  often  as  I 
behold  thee  on  the  altar,  I  may  say  to  thee  with 
my  whole  heart  with  St.  Philip  Neri  when  he 
beheld  the  Blessed  Sacrament :  "  Behold  my 
love,  behold  my  love,  behold  my  whole  love." 
Most  holy  Mary,  do  thou  also  pray  for  me.  I 
am  a  Priest ;  make  me  by  thy  holy  intercession 
what  a  Priest  ought  to  be,  wholly  a  man  of 
Christ  Jesus. 


Vi 


9^y 

be- 
not 

fiend- 
holy 

Imake 

iefore 
ro  be 


MEDITATION  VI. 


FRIDAY. 


Accipite^  et  commedite:  hoc  est  corpus  meum, 
Matth,  xxvi.  26.  Consider,  how  a  Priest,  by 
devoutly  celebrating  Mass  is  in  a  special  manner 
sanctified ;  inasmuch  as  during  the  celebration 
of  Mass  he  is  admitted  to  an  audience  with  the 
divine  Majesty,  and  allowed  to  treat  familiarly 
with  the  Word  Incarnate,  holding  him  in  his 


G 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


j,iij 


*r'l 


j  I 


II'! 


hands,  and  speaking  to  him  with  confidcnco  face 
to  face.  •  • 

Besides,  he  is  then  permitted  to  administer 
to  himself  with  his  own  hands  the  sacred  body 
and  blood  of  Jesus  Christ ;  as  it  was  to  Priests 
in  particular  that  our  Blessed  Eedeemer  said: 
Accipite,  et  commedite :  hoc  est  corpus  meum. 
To  seculars  also  is  given  the  holy  Communion, 
but  it  is  not  permitted  them  to  take  the  holy 
Sacrament  and  communicate  themselves  when 
they  please ;  they  must  receive  it  from  the 
hands  of  a  Priest,  and  when  he  pleases  j  but  a 
Priest  may  take  Jesus  Christ  and  communicate 
himself  as  often  as  he  desires. 

In  a  word,  a  Priest  holds  the  keys  of  all  the 
divine  treasures,  to  enrich  himself  as  he  pleases  ; 
since,  as  St.  John  Chrysostom  says,  the  Blessed 
Sacrament  contains  in  itself  all  the  treasures 
of  God  :  Dicendo  Eucharistiam  omnem  benigni- 
tatis  Dei  thesaurum  aperio.  So  that  a  Priest, 
in  celebrating,  becomes,  in  a  certain  way,  mas- 
ter of  Jesus  present  on  the  altar :  Be  toto  Deo 
divis  est. 

Jesus  Christ,  then,  belongs  entirely  to  Priests  ] 
but  how  many  Priests  belong  entirely  to  Jesus 
Christ  %  Oh  God,  how  do  the  greater  part  love 
their  Saviour  who  has  so  loved  and  exalted 
taem?    Oh  God,   how  many  poor  laborers   or 


Ivl  ■ 


* 


OF  THE  MASS. 


37 


shepherds  love  Jesus  Christ  better  than  many 
Priests  love  him !  Alas !  what  will  be  the  anguish 
of  a  Priest  lost  in  hell,  when  he  shall  find  him- 
self for  ever  at  a  distance  from,  and  deprived  of 
Jesus  Christ,  who  on  earth  has  been  so  near  to 
him — entirely  his! 


I 


AFFECTIONS. 

0  MY  dear  Jesus,  thou  didst  becQme  a  victim 
on  the  cross,  to  be  offered  by  me  in  sacrince  upon 
the  altar,  and  to  inebriate  me  with  thy  precious 
blood.  In  a  word,  by  making  me  a  Priest,  thou 
hast  made  thyself  wholly  mine,  thou  hast  given 
thyself  entirely  to  me  j  so  that  I  may  receive 
thee,  and  partake  of  thee  as  my  food,  as  often 
as  I  desire.  .         ^ 

My  dear  Redeemer,  increase  my  faith,  grant 
me  to  know  what  thou  art,  when  in  the  Blessed 
Sacrament  I  hold  thee  in  my  hands,  when  thou 
art  so  near  to  me  upon  the  altar,  when  I  receive 
into  my  mouth  thy  sacred  body,  and  drink  with 
my  lips  thy  precious  blood.  Why  am  I  not 
inflamed  with  love,  when  I  remember  that  thou 
art  my  God;  and  that  thou  art  pleased  to  be 
treated  by  me  with  so  much  familiarity,  as  to  be 
made  my  meat  and  drink  ? 

Thou  wast  not  satisfied  with  giving  thy  life  and 
thy  blood  for  the  love  of  me  upon  the  cross :  but 
7 


78 


ON  THE  HOLT  SACRIFICE 


> 


would  st  also  that  I  should  drink  this  same  blood 
to  become  wholly  uuited  with  thee,  and  one  and 
the  same  with  thee.  Ipsa  re  nos  auum  effecit 
corpus.   S.  Jo,  Chryst, 

Enlighten  me,  0  my  God,  and  help  me,  that 
I  may  no  longer  be  ungrateful  for  thy  intense 
love.  Detach  me  from  the  earth;  Grant  that  I 
may  no  more  oppose  any  impediment  in  the  way 
of  those  abundant  graces  which  thou  dispensest 
to  all  who  lovingly  receive  thee  in  the  holy  com- 
munion. I  love  thee,  0  Jesus,  who  didst  die 
upon  the  cross  for  me,  and  art  now  about  to 
become  my  food.  Eternal  Father,  by  the  merits 
of  Jesus  Christ,  whom  I  am  about  to  offer  thee 
this  morning,  bestow  upon  me  all  those  graces 
which  I  stand  in  need  of  to  become  entirely 
thine.  And  do  thou,  most  holy  Mary,  pray  to 
Jesus  for  me. 


MEDITATION  VII. 


-       i  I 


it   ' 


w 


tii 


SATURDAY. 

'  Festinans  descende,  quia  hodie  in  domo  tua 
oportet  me  manere.  Luc.  xix.  5.  Imagine  to 
thyself,  0  my  soul,  that  Jesus  Christ  addresses 
thee  this  morning  with  the  same  words  which  he 
addressed  to  Zacheus :  Make  haste,  approach 
the  altar,  for  I  must  enter  this  day  into  the 


or  THE  MASS. 


79 


house  of  thy  soul,  to  preserve  its  life,  to  heal 
its  wounds,  and  to  inflame  it  with  my  love. 
Yes,  all  this  will  the  Blessed  Sacrament  effect 
for  thee.  It  is  the  hrcad  which  gives  life  to  the 
soul :  Pants  quern  ego  dabo,  cnro  mea  est  pro 
mundi  vita,  Jo,  vi.  52.  It  is  a  medicine  by 
which  we  are  healed  and  preserved  from  sin. 
Antidotum^  quo  liberemur  a  ciilpis  quotidianis  et 
a  peccatis  mortalibus  prceservemur,  Trid,  Sess. 
13.  cap,  2.  It  is  a  fire  which  inflames  the  soul 
with  divine  love ;  so  that,  according  to  St. 
Chrysostom,  if  we  opposed  no  impediment  in  the 
way,  we  should  leave  the  altar,  fiammam  spi- 
rantes,  terribles  effecti  Diabolo,  • 

But,  my  God,  how  comes  it  that  so  many 
Priests,  notwithstanding  that  they  are  every 
morning  nourished  with  this  divine  bread,  in 
lieu  of  being  inflamed  with  divine  love,  become 
daily  more  and  more  attached  to  the  world,  and 
approach  again  and  again  to  the  altar  addicted 
to  the  same  deliberate  venial  sins?  All  this 
arises  from  celebrating  Mass  without  any  view 
or  desire  to  become  Saints,  but  from  interested 
motives,  or  from  habit.  And  hence  are  they 
ever  subject  to  the  same  defects ;  death  finds 
them  in  the  same  state,  and  they  go  to  render 
an  account  to  Jesus  Christ  of  their  priestly  lives 
spent  in  tepidity  and  negligence. 


m 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


i 


/ 


My  soul,  if  thou  art  of  their  number,  take 
heed  lest  if  this  celestial  bread  does  not  make 
thee  holy,  it  may  render  thee  more  culpable 
before  the  Divine  Tribunal.  Take  heed  to  thy- 
self and  amend  thy  faults:  remember,  death  is 
near  at  hand.  Reflect  and  see  what  are  the 
attachments,  what  the  defects  which  hinder  thee 
fiom  advancing  in  Divine  love,  and  correct  them. 
Think  that  thou  art  a  Priest.  Think  that  God 
has  chosen  thee  as  his  favored  one,  and  cannot 
make  thee  greater  than  he  has  made  thee. 


AFFECTIONS. 

0  God  of  infinite  majesty,  thou  desirest  to 
come  to  me  this  morning  and  dwell  within  my 
soul,  but  thy  dwelling-place  should  be  holy. 
Domum  tuam  decet  sanctitudo  Domine.  Ps, 
Ixiii.  5.  How  shall  I  receive  thee,  I  who  am  so 
imperfect,  so  full  of  defects !  Domine,  non  sum 
dignus,  ut  intres  sub  tectum  meum. 

Ah !  if  now  I  were  summoned  to  appear 
before  thee  in  judgment,  what  good  account 
could  I  render  thee  of  the  many  Masses  which 
I  have  celebrated,  and  of  the  years  which  I 
have  spent  in  the  Priesthood?  0  Lord,  wait 
yet  a  little  and  judge  me  not  now  in  thy  wrath. 
J^oti  intres  in  judicium  cum  servo  tuo,  Ps, 
cxlii.  2.    Wait  for  me  in  thy  mercy  yet  a  little 


r: 


OF  THE  MASS. 


81 


longer .  Dimitte  ergo  me,  ut  plangam  paululum 
dolorem  meum,  antequam  vadem  et  non  revertar. 
Job,  X.  20.  Grive  me  yet  a  little  longer  life, 
that  I  may  bewail  the  ingratitude  with  which  I 
have  hitherto  treated  thee,  my  Jesus.  Thou 
hast  made  me  a  Priest:  but  has  my  life  until 
now  been  the  life  of  a  Priest  ?  With  the  advan- 
tage of  so  many  Masses  and  Communions  I 
ought  to  have  become  all  on  fire  with  thy  love, 
all  pure  and  holy.  On  thy  part,  nothing  has 
been  wanting  to  me;  all  has  been  wanting  on 
my  part,  and  I  have  even  opposed  obstacles  in 
the  way  of  thy  graces.  My  life,  instead  of 
honoring  thee,  has  dishonored  thee  in  the  light 
of  heaven  and  of  earth.  Thou  hast  separated" 
me  from  the  world,  and  I  have  loved  the  world 
even  more  than  wordlings  love  it.  0  God,  be 
merciful  to  me ;  do  not  abandon  me,  I  wrll 
amend  my  life.  I  repent  with  my  whole  soul  of 
all  the  offences  which  I  have  committed  against 
thee.  I  will  begin  now  to  love  thee  in  earnest ; 
I  will  begin  this  morning  in  which  I  am  about  to 
receive  thee. 

I  love  thee,  O  Grod  of  my  soul,  I  love  thee, 
my  Saviour,  who  hast  laid  down  thy  life  to  save 
me  and  to  make  me  a  Priest :  Domine,  non  sum 
dignus ;  ut  intres  sub  tectum  meum  sed  tantum 
die  verba,  et  sanabitur  anima  mea.  Pardon  me, 
7* 


li 


82 


ON  THE  HOLT  SACRIFICE 


Mfi': 


0  Jesus,  and  save  me.  Detach  me  from  the 
world,  and  unite  me  intimately  to  thyself;  grant 
that  I  may  live  the  life  of  a  Priest  after  thine 
own  heart.  My  dear  Redeemer  thy  merits  are 
my  hope.  Eternal  Father,  I  am  about  to  offer 
thee  this  morning  Jesus  Christ,  that  thou  mayest 
make  me  all  thine  own.  Most  holy  Mary,  pray 
to  Jesus  for  me.  -     - 


'.  i 


i"4 


OF  THE  MASS. 


83 


the 
rant 
bine 

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GRATIARUM  ACTIO 

POST  MISSAM. 

^ina,  Trium  puerorum  cantemus  hymnum : 
quern  cantabant  sancti  in  camino  ignis,  benedi- 
centes  Dominum. 

Quce  Ana  in  Festis  Dupl.  tantitm  duplicatur^ 
et  temp,  Pasch.  additur  in  fine,  Alleluia. 

IT  Canticum  trium  puerorum. 

Benedicite  omnia  opera  Domini  Domino : 
laudate  et  superexaltate  eum  in  saecula. 

Benedicite  Angeli  Domini  Domino:  benedi- 
cite coeli  Domino. 

Benedicite  aquae  omnes,  quae  super  coelos 
sunt,  Domino :  benedicite  omnes  virtutes  Domini 
Domino. 

Benedicite  sol  et  luna  Domino  :  benedicite 
stellae  coeli  Domino.        • 

Benedicite  omnis  imber  et  ros  Domino  :  bene- 
dicite omnes  spiritus  Dei  Domino. 

Benedicite  ignis  et  aestus  Domino  benedicite 
frigus  et  aestus  Domino. 

Benedicite  rores  et  pruina  Domino  :  benedicite 
gelu  et  frigus  Domino. 

Benedicite  glacies  et  nives  Domino :  benedicite 
noctes  et  dies  Domino. 

Benedicite  lux  et  tenebrae  Domino  :  benedicite 
fulgura  et  nubes  Domino. 


;  1'^ 


84 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


Benedicat  terra  Dominum :  laudet  et  super- 
exaltet  eum  in  saecula. 

Benedicite  montes  et  coUes  Domino  :  bene- 
dicite  uni versa  germinantia  in  terra  Domino. 

Benedicite  fontes  Domino :  benedicite  maria 
et  flumina  Domino. 

Benedicite  cete,  et  omnia  quae  moventur  in 
aquis  Domino  :  benedicite  omnes  volucres  coeli 
Domino. 

Benedicite  omnes  bestiae  et  pecora  Domino; 
benedicite  filii  hominum  Domino. 

Benedicat  Israel  Dominum  j  laudet  et  super- 
exaltet  eum  in  saecula. 

Benedicite  sacerdotes  Domini  Domino  :  bene- 
dicite servi  Domini  Domino. 

Benedicite  Spiritus  et  animae  justorum  Domi- 
no .  benedicite  sancti  et  humiles  corde  Domino. 

Benedicite  Anania,  Azaria,  Misael  Domino: 
laudate  et  superexaltate  eum  in  saecula. 

Benedicamus*  Patrem  et  Filium  cum  sancto 
Spiritu :  laudemus  et  superexaltemus  eum  in 
saecula. 

Benedictus  est  Domine  in  firmamento  coeli :  et 
laudabilis,  et  gloriosus,  et  superexaltatus  in 
ssecula. 

Psalmus  150. 

Laudate  Dominum  in  Sanctis  ejus:  laudate 
eum  in  firmamento  virtutis  ejus.v 


OF  THE  MASS. 


85 


et 
iu 


Laudate  eum  in  virtutibus  ejus  :  laudate  eum 
secundum  multitudinem  magnitudinis  ejus. 

Laudate  eum  in  sono  tubs  :  laudate  eum  in 
psalterio,  et  cithara. 

Laudate  eum  in  tympano,  et  choro  :  laudate 
eum  in  chordis  et  organo. 

Laudate  eum  in  cymbalis  benesonantibus : 
laudate  eum  in  cymbalis  jubilationis :  omnis 
spiritus  laudet  Dominum. 

Gloria  Patri,  et  Filio. 

Deind^  repetitur  Ana. 

Trium  puerorum  cantemus  hymnum,  quern 
cantabant  sancti  in  camino  ignis,  benedicentes 
Dominum. 

Deinde  Sacerdos  dicit  : 

Kyrie  eleison.  Christe  eleison.  Kyrie  elei- 
son.  Pater  noster.  Y.  Et  ne  nos  inducas  in 
tentationem.  R.  Sed  libera  nos  a  malo.  V. 
Confiteantur  tibi  Domine  omnia  opera  tua.  R. 
Et  sancti  tui  benedicant  tibi.  V.  Exultabunt 
sancti  in  gloria.  R;  Laetabuntur  in  cubilibus 
suis.  V.  Non  nobis,  Domine,  non  nobis.  R. 
Sed  nomini  tuo  da  gloriara.  V.  Domine  exaudi 
orationem  meam.  R.  Et  clamor  meus  ad  te 
veniat.  V,  Dominus  vobiscum.  R.  Et  cum 
spiritu  tuo. 


(  \ 


86 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


Oremus. 

Deus,  qui  tribus  pueris  mitigasti  flammas 
ignium,  concede  propitius  ;  ut  nos  famulos  tuos 
non  exurat  flamma  vitiorum. 

Action  ES  nostras,  qusesumus  Doraine,  aspi- 
rando  praeveni,  et  adjuvando  prosequere :  ut 
curicb  nostra  oratio  et  operatio  a  te  semper  in- 
cipi  ft,  et  per  te  coepta  finiatur. 

L4  nobis,  quERSumus  Domine,  vitiorum  nos- 
^''orrna  flammas  extinguere,  qui  beato  Lauren tio 
In' '  i^^i  torraentorum  suorum  incendia  superare. 
Per  Christum  Dominum  nostrum.     R.  Amen. 

ORATIONES 

pro  opportunitate  sacerdotis  ante  cele- 

brationem  et  ^ommunionem  dicend^. 

Dm  DOMINICA. 

Oratio  S,  .^mbrosii  Episcopi, 

SuMME  sacerdos,  et  vere  pontifex  Jesu  Christe, 
qui  te  obtulisti  Deo  Patri  hostiam  puram  et 
immaculatam  in  ara  Crucis  pro  nobis  miseris,  et 
peccatoribus,  et  qui  dt-  iisti  nobis  carnem  tuam 
ad  manducandum  et  sanguinem  tuum  ad  hiben- 
dum,  et  posuisti  mysterium  istud  in  virtute 
Spiritus  sancti  tui,  dicens :  Hsec  quotiescumque 
feceritis,   in   mei   memoriam  facietis :    rogo  per 


fS 


OF  THE  MASS. 


87 


eumdem  sanguinem  tuum,  magnum  salutis  nos- 
trse  pretium :  rogo  per  banc  miram  et  ineftabilem 
charitatem,  qua  nos  miseros  et  Indignos  sic 
amare  dignatus  es,  ut  lavares  nos  h  peccatis 
nostris  in  sanguine  tuo :  doce  me  servum  tuum 
indignura,  quem  inter  cetera  dona  tua  etiam  ad 
officium  sacerdotale  Yocare  dignatus  es,  nullis 
meis  meritis,  sed  sola  dignatione  misericordije 
tuae :  doce  me,  quaeso  per  Spiritum  sanctum 
tuum,  tantum  tractare  mysterium  ea  reverentia 
et  honore,  ea  devotione  et  timore,  quibus  oportet 
et  decet,  Fac  me  per  gratiam  tuam  semper 
illud  de  tanto  mysterio  credere  et  intelligere, 
sen  tire  et  firmiter  tenere,  dicere  et  cogitare, 
quod  tibi  placet,  et  expedit  animse  mese.  In  tret 
spiritus  tuus  bonus  in  cor  meum,  qui  sonet  ibi 
sine  sono,  et  sine  strepitu  verborum  loquatur 
omnem  veritatem.  Profunda  quippe  sunt  nimis, 
et  sacro  tecta  velamine.  Propter  magnam  cle- 
mentiam  tuam  concede  mibi  Missarum  solemnia 
mundo  corde  et  purii  mente  celebrare.  Libera 
cor  meum  ab  immundis  et  nefandis,  vanis  et 
noxiis  cogitationibus.  Muni  me  beatorum  An- 
gelorum  pia  et  fidii  custodih,  ac  tutela.  fortissi- 
ma,  ut  bostes  omnium  bonorum  confusi  disce- 
dant.  Per  virtuteca  tanti  mysterii,  et  per  manum 
sancti  Angeli  tui  repelle  k  me,  et  a  cmictis 
servis   tuis   durissimum    spiritum    sujjerbije    et 


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88 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


caenodoxix,  invidke,  et  blasphemiae,  foriiicationis 
et  immunditisp,  dubietatis  et  diffidentiiB.  Con- 
fundantur  qui  nos  persequuntur :  pereant  illi  qui 
DOS  perdere  festinant.      ;>   ...    -    ;.      s        ,   . 

,        ;         FERIA  II. 

U  Eex  virginum,  et  amator  castitatis  et  inte- 
gritatis,  ccelesti  roro  benedictionis  tuae  extingue 
in  corpore  meo  fomitem  ardentis  libidinis  ut 
maneat  in  me  tenor  castitatis  corporis  et  animje. 
Mortifica  in  membris  meis  carnis  stimulos,  om- 
nesque  libidinosas  commotiones,  et  da  mihi  veram 
et  perpetuam  castitatem  cum  ceteris  donis  tuisj 
quse  tibi  placent  in  veritate,  ut  sacrificium  laudis 
casto  corpore  et  mundo  corde  yaleam  tibi  offerre, 
Quanti  enim  cordis  contritione,  et  lacrymarum 
fonte,  quanta  reverentia  et  tremore,  quanta  cor- 
poris castitate,  et  animae  puritate  istud  divinum, 
et  coeleste  sacrificium  est  celebrandum  ubi  caro 
tua  in  veritate  sumitur,  ubi  sanguis  tuus  in 
veritate  bibitur,  ubi  ima  summis,  terrena  divinis 
junguntur,  ubi  adest  sanctorum  Angelorum  prae- 
sentia,  ubi  tu  es  sacrificium,  et  saoerdos  mira- 
billter  et  inefiabiliter  constitutus. 

FERIA  III. 

U  Quis  digne  hoc  celebrare  poterit,  nisi  tu 


OF  THE  MASS. 


89 


Ul 


Deus  omnipotens  offerentem  feceris  dignum? 
Scio  Doinine,  et  vere  scio,  et  id  ipsum  pietati 
tute  confiteor,  quia  non  sum  dignus  acccdcre  ad 
tantum  mysterium  propter  nimia  peccata  mea  et 
infinitas  negligentias  meas.  Sed  scio,  et  vera- 
citer  ex  toto  corde  meo  credo,  et  ore  confiteor, 
quia  tu  potes  me  facere  dignum,  qui  solus  potes 
facere  mundum  de  immundo  conceptum  semine, 
et  de  peccatoribus  justos  et  sanctos.  Per  banc 
omnipotentiam  tuam  te  rogo  Deus  meus,  lit  con- 
cedas  mihi  peccatori  hoc  sacrificium  celebrare 
cum  timore  et  tiemore  cum  cordis  puritate,  et 
lacrymarum  fonte,  cum  laetitia  spiritali,  et  coe- 
lesti  gaudio.  Sentiat  mens  mea  dulcedinem  bea- 
tissimse  praesentiae  tuae,  et  excubias  sanctorum 
Angelorum  tuorum  in  circuito  meo. 


FERIA  IV. 

IT  Ego  enim,  Domine,  memor  venerandse  pas- 
sionis  tuae  accedo  ad  altare  tuum,  licet  peccator, 
ut  offeram  tibi  sacrificium  quod  tu  instituisti,  et 
offerri  praecepisti  in  commemorationem  tui  pro 
salute  nostra.  Suscipe  illud  quaeso,  summe 
Deus,  pro  Ecclesia  sancta  tua,  et  pro  populo 
quem  acquisisti  Sanguine  tuo.  Et  quoniam  me 
peccatorem  inter  te  et  eumdem  populum  tuum 
medium  esse  voluisti,  licet  in  me  aliquid  boni 
opens  testimonium  non  agnoscas,  officium  saltern 
% 


90 


ON  THE  HOLY  BAORIFIOE 


dispensationis  creditae  non  recuses,  neo  per  me 
indignum,  eorum  salutis  pereat  pretiura,  pro 
quibus  viotima  salutaris  dignatus  es  esse  redenip- 
tio.  Profero  etiam  Domine  (si  digueris  propitins 
intueri)  tribulationes  plebium,  pericula  populo- 
rum,  captivorum  gemitus,  miserias  orpbanorum, 
necessitates  peregrinorum,  inopiam  debilium,  des- 
perationes  languentium,  defectus  senum,  suspiria 
''juvenum,  vota  virginum,  lanienta  viduarum. 


FERIA  V. 

IT  Tu  enim  misereris  omnium  Domine :  et  nihil 
odisti  eorum  quae  fecisti.  Memo  rare  quce  sit 
nostra  substantia  :  quia  tu  Pater  noster  es,  quia 
tu  Deiis  noster  es ;  ne  irascaris  satis,  neque 
multitudinem  visc^^rum  tuorum  super  nos  con- 
tineas.  Non  enim  in  justificationibus  nostris 
prosternimus  preces  ante  faciem  tuam,  sed  in 
miserationibus  tuis  multis.  Aufer  a  nobis  ini- 
quitates  nostras:  et  ignem  sancti  Spiritus  in 
nobis  clementer  accende.  Aufer  cor  lapideum 
de  carne  nostra ;  et  da  nobis  cor  carneum,  quod 
te  amet,  te  ailigat,  te  delectetur,  te  sequatur, 
te  perfruatur.  Oramus  Domine  clementiam 
tuam,  ut  sereno  vultu  familiam  tuam,  sacri  tui 
nominis  officia  prsestolantem,  aspicere  digneris: 
et  ut  nullius  sit  irritum  votum,  nuUius  vacua 


OP  THE  MASS. 


91 


postulatio,  tu  nobis   preces  suggere,   quas  ipse 
propitius  audire,  et  exaudire  delecteris. 

FERIA  VI. 

U  Rogamus  etiam  tc,  Domine  sancte  Pater, 
et  pro  spiritibus  fidelium  defunctorum :  ut  sit 
illis  salus,  sanitas,  gaudium,  e'  lefrigerium, 
boo   magnum    pietatis    sacramci  Domine 

Deus  meus,  sit  illis  hodie  roaLu  t  plenum 

convivium  de  te  pane  vivo,  qui  de  coelo  descen- 
disti,  et  das  vitam  mundo,  de  tua  carne  sancta 
et  bencdicta,  Agni  videlicet  immaculati,  qui  tollis 
peccata  nmndi,  quse  de  sancto  et  glorioso  beatae 
virginis  Marise  utero  est  assumpta,  et  de  Spiritu 
sancto  concepta  :  ac  de  illo   pietatis  fonte,  qui 
per   lanceam   militis   ex  tuo  sacratissimo  latere 
emanavit :  ut  exinde  refecti  et  satiati,  refrigerati 
et  consolati  exultent  in  laude  et  gloria  tua.   Peto 
clementiam  tuam   Domine,   ut   descendat  super 
panem  tibi  sacrificandum  plenitudo  tuae  benedic- 
tionis,  et  sanctificatio  tuae  divinitatis.    Descendat 
etiam,  Domine,  ilia  sancti  Spiritus  tui  invisibilis 
incomprebensibilisque   majestas,   sicut   quondam 
in  patrum  hostias  descendebat,  qui  et  oblationes 
nostras  Corpus  et  Sanguinem  tuum   efficiat,   et 
me  indignum  sacerdotem  doceat  tantum  tractare 
mysterium  cum  cordis  puritate,   et  lacryraarum 
devotione,   cum  reverentia  et  tremore,    ita   ut 


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ON  THE  HOLT  SACRIFICE 


placide  ac  benigne  suscipias  sacrificium  de  mani- 
bus  meis  ad  salutem  omnium  tam  vivorum  quam 
defunctorum, 

SABBATO. 

IT  Rogo  etiam  te,  Domine,  per  ipsum  sacro- 
sanctum  mysterium  Corporis  et  Sanguinis  tui, 
quo  quotidie  in  Ecclcsia  tua  pascimur  et  pota- 
mur,  abluimur  et  sanctificamur,  atque  unius 
summse  divinitatis  participes  efficimur,  da  mihi 
virtutes  tuas  sanctas,  quibus  repletus,  bon^  con- 
scientia  ad  altare  tuum  accedam,  ita  ut  hsc 
coelestia  sacramenta  efficiantur  mihi  salus  et  vita. 
Tu  enim  dixistiore  tuo  sancto  et  benedicto : 
Panis,  qifiem  ego  dabo,  caro  mea  est  pro  mundi 
vita.  Ego  sum  panis  vivus,  qui  de  coelo  des- 
cendi.  Si  quis  manducaverit  ex  hoc  pane,  vivet 
in  seternum.  Panis  dulcissime,  sana  palatum 
cordis  mei,  ut  sentiam  suavitatem  amoris  tui. 
Sana  illud  ab  omni  languore,  ut  nullam  praeter 
te  sentiam  dulcedinem.  Panis  candidissime, 
habens  omne  saporem,  qui  nos  semper  reficis,  et 
numquam  in  te  deficis:  comedat  te  cor  meum, 
et  dulcedine  saporis  tui  repleantur  viscera  ani- 
mae  meae.  Menducat  te  Angelus  ore  pleno : 
manducet  te  peregrinus  homo  pro  modulo  suo,  ne 
deficere  possit  in  via,  tali  recreatus  Viatico. 
Panis  sancte,  panis  vive,  panis  munde,  qui  des- 


OF  THE  MASS. 


93 


cendisti  de  coelo,  et  das  vitam  mundo,  veni  in  cor 
meum,  et  munda  me  ab  omni  iniquinamento 
oarnis  et  spiritus.  Intra  in  animam  meam,  sana 
et  munda  me  interius,  et  exterius.  Esto  tuta- 
men,  et  continua  salus  animse  et  corporis  mei. 
Eepelle  a  me  insidiantes  mihi  hostes :  recedant 
procul  a  prsesentia  potentis  tuse,  ut  foris  et  intus 
per  te  munitus,  recto  tramite  ad  tuum  regnum 
pervcniam  :  ubi  non  in  mysteriis,  sicut  in  hoc 
tempore  agitur,  sed  facie  ad  faciem  te  videbimus, 
cum  tradideris  regnum  Deo  et  Patri,  et  eris 
Deus  omnia  in  omnibus.  Ti.nc  enim  me  de  te 
satiabis  satietate  mirifica,  ita  ut  nee  esuriam,  nee 
sitiam  in  aeternum.  Qui  cum  eodem  Deo  Patre, 
et  Spiritu  sancto  vivis  et  regnas  per  omnia  saecu- 
la  sseculorum.     Amen. 

;  ' ',  jllia  Oratio  ante  Missam.  - 


Ad  mensam  dulcissimi  convivii  tui,  pie  Do- 
mine  Jesu  Christe,  ego  peccator  de  propriis 
meritis  nihil  praesumens,  sed  de  tua  confidens 
mis6ricordia  et  bonitate,  accedere  yereor  et  con- 
tremisco.  Nam  cor  et  corpus  habeo  multis 
criminibus  maculatum,  mentem  et  linguam  son 
caute  custoditam.  Ergo  6  pia  Deitas,  o  tre- 
menda  Majestas,  ego  miser  inter  angustias  de- 
prehensus,  ad  te  fontem  misericordiae  recurro,  ad 
8* 


i 


I 


i: 


'f' 


94 


ON  THi  kOLY  SACRIFICE 


te  festino  sanandus,  sub  tuam  protectionem  fugio : 
et  quern  judi  cem  sustinere  nequeo,  salvatorem 
habere  suspiro.  Tibi  Domine  plagas  meas  ostendo : 
tibi  verecundiam  meam  detego.  Scio  peccata 
mea  multa  et  magna,  pro  quibup  tiiueo.  Spero 
in  misericordias  tuas,  quarum  non  est  numerus. 
Respice  ergo  in  me  oculis  misericordiae  tuse 
Domine  Jesu  Christu,  Rex  aeterne,  Deus  et 
homo,  crucifixus  propter  hominem.  Exaudi  me 
sperantem  in  te :  miserere  mei  pleni  miseriis 
et  peccatis,  tui  qui  fontem  miserationis  nunquam 
manare  cessabis.  Salve  salutaris  Victima,  pro 
me  et  omni  humano  genere  in  patibulo  Crucis 
oblata.  Salve  nobilis  et  pretiose  Sanguis,  de 
vulneribus  crucifixi  Domini  mei  Jesu  Christi 
profluens,  et  peccata  totius  muudi  abluens.  Re- 
cordare  Domine  creaturae  tuae,  quam  tuo  San- 
guine redemisti.  Poenitet  me  peccasse,  cupio 
emendare  quod  feci.  Aufer  ergo  t  me,  cle- 
mentissime  Pater,  omnes  iniquit'i"  et  peccata 
mea  :  ut  purificatus  mente  et  corpore,  digne  de- 
gustare  merear  sancta  sanctorum;  et  concede, 
ut  sancta  praftlibatio  Corporis  et  Sanguinis  tui, 
quam  ego  indignus  sumere  intendo,-  sit  pec- 
catorum  meorum  remissio,  sit  delictorum  perfec- 
ta  purgatio,  sit  turpium  cogitationum  effugatio, 
ac  bonorum  sensuum  regeneratio,  operumque 
tibi  placentium  salubris  efficacia,  anim<E  quoque 


OF  THE  MASS. 


95 


et  corporis  contra  inimicorum  meorum  insidias 
firmissima  tuitio.     Amen. 


Oratio  S,  ThoncB  Aquinatis, 

Omnipotens  sempiterne  Deus,  ecce  accede 
ad  sacramentum  unigeniti  Filii  tui  Domini  nostri 
Jesu  Christi :  accedo  tamquam  infirmus  ad  medi- 
cum  vitse,  immundus  ad  fontem  misericordise, 
caecus  ad  lumen  claritatis  aeternae,  pauper  et 
egenus  ad  Pominum  coeli  et  terrae.  Rogo  ergo 
inmiensae  largitatis  tuae  abundantiam,  quatenus 
meam  curare  digneris  infirmitatem  lavare  foedi- 
tatem,  illuminare  caecitatem,  ditare  paupertatem, 
vestire  nuditatem  ut  panem  Angelorum,  Regem 
regum,  Dominum  dominantium  tant^  suscipiam 
reverently  et  humilitate,  tanta  contritione  et 
devotione,  tanta  puritate  et  fide,  tali  proposito 
et  intentione,  sicut  expedit  saluti  animae  meae. 
Da  mihi,  quaeso,  dominici  Corporis  et  Sanguinis 
Hon  solum  suscipere  Sacramentum,  sed  etiam 
rem  et  virtutem  Sacramenti.  0  mitissime  Deus, 
da  mihi  Corpus  unigeniti  Filii  tui  Domini  nostri 
Jesu  Christi,  quod  traxit  de  virgine  Maria,  sic 
suscipere,  ut  corpori  suo  mystico  merear  incor- 
porari,  et  inter  ejus  membra  connumerari.  0 
amantissime  Pater,  concede  mihi  dilectum  Filium 
tunm,  quern  nunc  velatum  in  via  suscipere  pro- 
pono,  revelata  tandem  facie  perpetuo  contem- 


r 


H 


! 


I 


t 


I 


i 


96 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


plari.  Qui  tecum  vivit  ct  regnat  in  unitate 
Spiritus  sancti  Deus,  per  omni  scecula  sseculo- 
rum.     Amen. 

.  .,  ORATIONES  ,       . 

POST    CELEBRATIONEM  ET   COMMUNIONEM 

DICENDiE. 

Oratio  S,  ThorruB  de  Aquino, 

Gratias  tibi  ago,  Domine  sancte,  Pater 
omnipotens  seterne  Deus  qui,  me  peccatorem, 
indignum  famulum  tuum,  nuUis  meis  mentis, 
sed  sola  dignatione  misericordiae  tuaa  satiare 
dignatus  es  pretioso  Corpore  et  Sanguine  Eilii 
tui  Domini  nostri  Jesu  Christi.  Et  precor,  ut 
haec  sancta  Communio  non  sit  mihi  reatus  ad 
pcenam,  sed  intercessio  salutaris  ad  veniam.  Sit 
mihi  arpiatura  fidei,  et  secutum  bonse  voluntatis. 
Sit  vitiorum  meorum  evacuatio,  concupiscentiae 
et  libidinis  exterminatio,  charitatis  et  patientiae, 
humilitatis  et  obedientiae,  omniumque  virtutum 
augmentatio :  contra  insidias  inimicorum  omnium, 
tarn  visibilium,  quam  invisibilium  firma  defensio : 
motuum  meorum,  tam  carnalium,  quiim  spiritu- 
alium  perfecta  quietatio :  in  te  uno  ac  vero  Deo 
firma  adhaesio:  atque  finis  mei  felix  consum- 
matio.  Et  precor  te,  ut  ad  illud  ineffabile  con- 
yivium  me  peccatorem  perducere  digneris:  ubji 


OF  THE  MASS. 


97 


tu  cum  filio  tuo  et  Spiritu  sancto,  Sanctis  tuis 
es  lux  vera,  satietas  plena,  gaudium  sempiter- 
num,  jucunditas  consummata,  et  felicitas  per- 
fecta.  Per  eumdem  Christum  Dominum  nos- 
trum.    Amen.    < 


^lia  Oratio  S.  BonaventurcB, 

Transpige,  dulcissime  Domine  Jesu,  medul- 
las et  viscera  animae  medB  suavissimo  et  salu- 
berrimo  amoris  tui  vulnere,  vera,  serenaque  et 
apostolical  sanctissimsl  charitate,  ut  langueat  et 
liquefiat  anima  mea  solo  semper  amore  et  desi- 
derio  tui,  te  concupiscat,  et  deficiat  in  atria  tua, 
oupiat  dissolvi,  et  esse  tecum.  Da,  ut  anima 
mea  te  esuriat,  panem  Angelorum,  refectionem 
animarum  sanctarum,  panem  nostrum  quotidi- 
anum,  supersubstantialem,  habentem  omnem  dul- 
cedinem  et  saporem,  et  omne  delectamentum 
suavitatis :  te,  in  quem  desiderant  Angeli  prospi- 
cere,  semper  esuriat  et  comedat  cor  meum,  et 
dulcedine  saporis  tui  repleantur  viscera  animae 
mese :  te  semper  sitiat  fontem  vitae,  fontem 
sapientiae  et  scientiae,  fontem  aeterni  luminis, 
torrentem  voluptatis,  ubertatem  domus  Dei:  te 
semper  ambiat,  te  quaerat,  te  inveniat,  ad  te 
tendat,  ad  te  perveniat,  te  meditetur,  te  loqua- 
tur,  et  omnia,  operetur  in  laudem  et  gloriam 
nominis  tui,  cum  humilitate  et  discretione,  cum 


i 


H 


i 


I 


98 


ON  THE  HOLT  SAORIFIOE 


dilectione  et  delectatione^  cum  facilitate  et 
affectu,  cum  perseverantia  usque  in  finem:  et 
tu  sis  solus  semper  spes  mea,  tota  fiducia  mea, 
divitisB  meae,  delectatio  mea,  jucunditas  mea, 
gaudium  meum,  quies  et  trauquillitas  mea,  pax 
mea,  suavitas  mea,  odor  meus,  dulcedo  mea, 
cibus  meus,  refectio  mea,  refugium  meum,  aux- 
ilium  meum,  sapientia  mea,  portio  mea,  pos- 
sessio  mea,  thesaurus  meus,  in  quo  fixa  et  firma 
et  immobiliter  semper  sit  radicata  mens  mea,  et 
cor  meum.    Amen. 

RHYTHMUS  S.  THOM^ 

AD  SAORAM  EUOHARISTIAM. 

Adoro  te  devote,  latens  Deitas, 
Quae  sub  bis  figuris  verd  latitas ; 
Tibi  se  cor  meum  totum  subjicit : 
Quia  te  contemplans  totum  deficit. 

Yisus,  tactus,  gustus  91  te  fallitur, 
Sed  auditu  solo  tuto  creditur. 
Credo  quidquid  dixit  Dei  Filius, 
Nil  hoc  verbo  veritatis  verius. 

In  Cruce  latebat  sola  deitas. 
At  hie  latet  simul  et  humanitas. 
Ambo  tamen  credens  atque  confitens, 
Peto  quod  petivit  latro  poenitens. 


07  THE  MASS. 

Plagas,  sicut  Thomas,  non  intueor. 
Deum  tamen  meum  te  confiteor. 
Fao  me  tibi  seAper  magis  credere, 
In  te  spem  habere,  te  diligere. 

0  memoriale  mortis  Domini ! 
Panis  vivus,  vitam  praestans  homini : 
Praesta  mesd  menti  de  te  vivere, 
Et  te  illi  semper  dulce  sapere. 

Pie  pellicane  Jesu  Domine, 
Me  immundum  munda  tuo  sanguine : 
Cujus  una  stilla  salvum  facere 
Totum  mundum  quit  ab  omni  scelere. 

Jesu  quern  velatum  nunc  aspicio, 
Ora  fiat  illud,  quod  tam  sitio, 
Ut  te  revelat^  cernens  facie, 
Yisu  sim  beatus  tu8b  glorise. 

Amen. 


W 


(It 


n 


l    :  1  . 


100  ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 

AFFECTIONS, 

BY  WAT  OP 

SI)anksgtDiiig  after  Mass. 


THANKSGIVma  I. 

SUNDAY. 

My  dear  Jesus !  my  Bedeemer  and  my  God ! 
before  celebrating  I  adored  thee  in  heaven, 
glorious  on  thy  throne,  at  the  right  hand  of  the 
Eternal  Father  3  but  now  I  adore  thee  within 
my  own  breast,  concealed  under  the  humble 
forms  of  bread  and  wine,  and  become  the  food 
and  nourishment  of  my  soul. 

Welcome  to  my  soul,  0  Lord  5  I  give  thee 
thanks  with  my  whole  soul ;  would  that  I  could 
thank  thee  as  thou  deservest !  But  what  return 
of  thanks  could  a  poor  countryipan  make  to  his 
king,  should  his  king  deign  to  enter  his  cottage 
to  pay  him  a  visit  ?  What  could  he  do  but  cast 
himself  at  his  sovereign's  feet  in  wonder,  amaze- 
ment, and  gratitude  for  so  signal  an  act  of  good- 
ness and  condesoeiision  ?  Wherefore  do  I  cast 
myself  at  thy  feet,  my  divine  King,  my  Jesus, 
and  adore  thee  from  the  abyss  of  my  own  mise- 
ries.   I  unite  my  adoration  with  that  of  the 


OF  THE  MASS. 


101 


God! 


most  holy  Mary  when  she  received  thee  into  her 
sacred  womb,  and  would  even  love  thee  as  sh^ 
loved  thee. 

Ah,  my  Redeemer!  thou  hast  this  morning, 
in  obedience  to  my  words,  descended  from 
heaven  into  my  hands;  and  how  often  have  I, 
in  opposition  to  thy  precepts,  ungratefully  turned 
my  back  upon  thee,  and  renounced  thy  grace  and 
thy  love !  0  Jesus,  I  hope  that  thou  hast  already 
pardoned  me ;  but  if,  through  my  own  fault,  thou 
hast  not,  pardon  me  this  morning,  sorrowing  with 
my  whole  heart  for  having  ever  offended  thee,  0 
infinite  goodness.  ' 

Oh,  my  Jesus,  would  that  I  had  always  loved 
thee !  At  least,  from  the  time  when  I  said  my 
first  Mass,  I  ought  to  have  been  inflamed  with 
divine  love  for  thee.  From  amongst  millions 
didst  thou  choose  me  to  be  thy  Priest,  thy 
favored  one;  what  more  couldst  thou  do  to 
make  me  love,  thee  ?  But  I  thank  thee,  0  love 
of  my  soul,  that  thou  now  affordest  me  time 
in  which  to  do  that  which  hitherto  I  have  not 
done;  I  will  love  thee  with  my  whole  heart. 
No,  I  will  not  allow  of  any  affection  in  my  heart 
that  is  not  fixed  on  thee,  who  hast  done  so  much 
to  oblige  me  to  love  thee. 

Detts  mem  et  omnia.  What,  0  my  God,  are 
all  the  riches^  all  the  honors,  all  the  pleasures 

i 


102 


ON  THE  HOLT  SAORIFIOE 


of  the  world!    Thou  art  my  all;  thou  alone 

4Rhalt  ever  be  my  only  good,  my  only  love.     I 

will  say  to  thee  with  St.  Paulinas :  Sibi  habeant 

.  divitias  suas  divites,  regna  sua  Reges ;  mihi 

Christus  gloria  et  regnum  est. 

Eternal  Father,  for  the  love  of  thy  Son, 
whom  I  have  this  morning  offered  in  sacrifice 
to  thee,  and  received  within  my  breast,  grant 
me  holy  perseverance  and  the  gift  of  thy  divine 
love.  I  recommend  to  thee  all  relations,  friends, 
and  enemies.  I  recommend  to  thee  the  suffer- 
ing souls  in  Purgatory,  and  all  poor  sinners. 
(This  prayer  should  he  repeated  every  morning 
after  Mass,)  Most  holy  Mary,  my  mother,  ob- 
tain for  me  final  perseverance  and  love  for  Jeaus 
Christ. 

The  following  prayer  should  also  he  repeated 
every  morning  after  Mass  ;  many  indulgences  are 
attached  to  it. 

Anima  Ghristi  sanotissima,  sanctifica  me. 

Corpus  Christi  saoratissimum,  oustodi  me. 

Sanguis  Christi  pretiosissime,  inebria  me. 

Aqua  lateris  Christi  purissima,  lava  me. 

Passio  Christi  amarissima,  conforta  me. 

O  bone  Jesu,  exaudi  me. 

Intra  vulnera  tua  absconde  me. 

Ne  permittas  me  8q)arati  a  te. 

.(  Thid  verse  should  be  thrice  fervently  Treated. ) 


OF  THE  MASS. 


108 


Ab  hoste  maligno  defende  me. 

In  bora  mortis  meao  voca  me ; 

£t  jube  me  venire  ad  te. 

Ut  cum  Sanctis  et  Angelis  tuis  collaudem  te, 

Per  infinita  saecula  sseoulorum.    Amen. 


THANKSGIVING  11.  m 

f  MONDAY. 

0  infinite  goodness  !  0  infinite  love !  God 
bas  given  bimself  entirely  to  me,  and  made  bim- 
self  entirely  mine !  My  soul,  unite  all  tby  affec- 
tions, and  fix  tbem  on  tby  Lord,  wbo  bas  come 
to  tbee,  to  be  united  witb  tbee,  and  to  be  loved 
by  tbee. 

My  beloved  Redeemer,  I  embrace  tbee ;  my 
treasure,  my  life,  I  bind  myself  to  tbee ;  do  not 
reject  me.  Alas,  I  have  bitherto  banisbed  tbee 
from  my  soul,  and  have  separated  myself  from 
tbee ;  but  for  the  future  I  will  lay  down  my  life 
a  thousand  times  rather  than  lose  thee,  my  sov- 
ereign good.  Forget,  0  Lord,  the  many  offences 
I  have  been  guilty  of  against  thee,  and  forgive 
me.  I  am  sorry  for  them  witb  my  whole  soul, 
and  would  willingly  die  of  grief  for  them. 

But,  notwithstanding  all  my  offences  against 
thee,  I  know  that  thou  commandest  me  to  love 


104 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


thee :  Diliges  Dominum  Deum  tuum  ex  toto 
corde  tuo.  Ah,  my  Lord,  who  am  I,  that  thou 
shouldst  so  much  desire  to  he  loved  hy  me? 
But  since  thou  dost  desire  it,  I  long  to  please 
thee.  Thou  hast  died  for  me,  thou  hast  given 
me  thyself  to  he  my  food  j  I  leave  all,  I 
renounce  all,  and  emhrace  thee,  my  heloved 
Saviour.  Quis  me  seperabit  a  charitate  Chris* 
ti? 

My  dear  Redeemer,  whom  shall  I  love,  if  I 
love  not  thee,  who  art  infinite  heauty,  infinite 
goodness,  and  worthy  of  infinite  love  ?  Quid 
mihi  est  in  cceloy  et  a  te  quid  volui  super  ter- 
ram?  Deus  cordis  mei,  et  pars  mea  Beus  in 
(Bternum.  Yes,  my  God,  and  what  greater  good 
than  thee  can  I  find  in  heaven,  or  on  earth? 
And  one  that  has  loved  me  so  much  ?  Mveniat 
regnum  tuum.  O  Jesus,  take  now  possession  of 
my  whole  soul ;  I  give  it  entirely  to  thee,  make 
it  wholly  thine,  and  for  ever,  and  expel  from  it 
every  a£fection  that  is  not  fixied  on  thee.  I 
choose  thee  for  my  only  portion,  my  only  wealth. 
Deus  cordis  met,  et  pars  mea  Deus  in  (sternum. 
Grant  that  I  may  ever  pray  and  heseech  thee 
with  St.  Ignatius  of  Loyola :  Amorem  tui  solum 
cum  gratia  tua  mihi  dones,  et  dims  sum  satis. 
Give  me  thy  love  and  thy  grace,  that  I  may  love 
thee  and  he  loved  hy  thee,  and  I  shall  he  suffi- 


OF  THE  MASS. 


105 


ciently  rich,  and  shall  desire  nothing,  and  ask 
for  nothing  more. 

But  thou  knowest  my  weakness,  thou  knowest 
how  unfaithful  I  have  been  to  thee  ;  assist  me  by 
thy  grace,  and  never  permit  me  to  be  again 
separated  from  thy  holy  love.  JVc  permittas  me 
separari  a  te.  Thus  do  I  now,  and  will  ever, 
pray  to  thee  ;  and  do  thou  give  me  grace  ever  to 
repeat :  JVe  permittas,  ne  permittas  me  separari 
a  te.  Most  holy  Mary,  my  hope,  obtain  for  me 
these  two  graces,  holy  perseverance,  and  divine 
love,  and  I  ask  for  nothing  more. 


THANKSGIVING  HI. 

•  TUESDAY. 

My  dear  Lord,  how  could  I  have  so  often 
offended  thee  by  my  sins,  knowing  that  sin  was 
80  hateful  to  thee  1  Oh,  pardon  me  through 
the  merits  of  thy  passion,  and  unite  me  wholly 
to  thee  by  thy  love  j  let  not  my  sins  drive  thee 
away  from  me.  Grant  me  to  know  ever  more 
and  more  how  great  a  good  thou  art,  how  much 
thou  deservest  to  be  loved,  and  how  much  thou 
hast  loved  me. 

I  desire,  0  my  Jesus,  to  sacrifice  myself 
wholly  for  thee,  who  hast  sacrificed  thyself  en- 
tirely for  me.  Thou  hast  drawn  me  by  many 
9* 


■■,: 


iiiji 

r 


106 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


allurements  to  love  thee  and  to  be  united  with 
thee,  never  suffer  me  to  be  ever  again  separated 
from  thee.  I  love  thee,  0  God,  and  desire  to 
love  thee  for  ever.  And  how,  having  now  ex- 
perienced thy  love,  shall  I  ever  be  able  to  live 
at  a  distance  from  thee  and  deprived  of  thy 
grace  ? 

I  thank  thee  for  having  hitherto  spared  me 
in  my  sins,  and  for  now  giving  me  time  to  love 
thee.  Had  I  died  in  my  sins,  I  could  never 
more  have  loved  thee.  But  since  I  can  still 
love  thee,  I  will  love  thee,  0  Jesus,  with  all  my 
power,  and  do  all  to  please  thee.  I  love  thee, 
0  infinite  goodness,  I  love  thee  more  than  my- 
self; and  because  I  love  thee,  I  give  thee  my 
body,  my  soul,  and  my  whole  will.  Do  with 
me  what  thou  pleasest,  0  Lord,  dispose  of  me 
as  thou  pleasest,  I  am  ready  to  embrace  and  to 
conform  myself  to  thy  holy  will  in  all  things. 
Grant  me  ever  to  love  thee,  and  I  ask  for  nothing 
more.  Bestow  the  goods  of  this  world  on  whom 
thou  pleasest;  I  desire,  I  seek  only  persever- 
ance in  thy  grace,  and  the  gift  of  divine  love. 

0  Eternal  Father,  trusting  in  thy  promise 
made  to  us  through  thy  Son  :  Amen,  amen,  dico 
vobis :  si  quid  petieritis  Patrem  in  nomine  meo, 
dabit  vobis,  Joan,  xvi.  23  ;  in  the  name  of  Jesus 
Christ  I  ask  of  thee  holy  perseverance,  and  the 


OF  THE  MASS. 


107 


grace  of  lo^  ag  thee  with  my  whole  heart,  by 
perfectly  fulfilling  henceforward  thy  holy  will. 

0  Jesus,  thou  hast  offered  thyself  in   sacrifice 
for  me,  and  hast  given  thy  whole  self  to  me,  that 

1  may  give  my  whole  self  to  thee,  and  sacrifice 
my  will  to  thee.  Thoii  invitest  me :  Prceibe  fill 
mi,  cor  tuum  mihu  Behold,  0  Lord,  behold 
my  heart,  my  will,  I  give  and  sacrifice  all  to 
thee.  But  thou  knowest  how  weak  I  am ;  sup- 
port me,  and  never  suffer  me  to  alienate  my  will 
from  thee  and  offend  thee.  No,  permit  it  not ; 
grant  that  I  may  ever  love  thee,  grant  that  I 
may  love  thee  as  a  Priest  ought  to  love  thee ; 
in  such  manner  that  I  may  be  able  to  say  with 
thy  beloved  Son  on  the  cross,  consummatum  est; 
grant  that  I  also  at  my  death  may  be  able  to 
say,  that  from  this  day  forward  I  have  accom- 
plished thy  blessed  will.  Grant  that  in  all  temp- 
tations,  in  all  dangers  of  offending  thee,  I  may 
never  cease  to  have  recourse  to  thee,  and  to  im- 
plore thee,  through  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ, 
to  assist  me.  0  most  holy  Mary,  obtain  for  me 
this  grace ;  that  in  all  temptations  I  may  recom- 
mend myself  to  God  and  to  thee,  who  art  all- 
powerful  with  God. 


i 


3 


! 


ii] 


108  ON  THE  HOLT  SAORIFICE 


THANKSGIVING  IV. 

WEDNESDAY. 

0  MY  Jesus,  I  see  how  much  thou  hast  done 
and  suffered  to  oblige  me  to  love  thee ;  and  how 
ungrateful  have  I  been  to  thee !  How  often, 
for  a  trifling  gratification  or  caprice,  have  I  for- 
feited thy  grace,  and  slighted  thee,  the  God  of 
my  soul !  I  have  been  grateful  towards  crea- 
tures, to  thee  only  have  I  been  ungrateful.  For- 
give me,  0  God ;  I  am  grieved,  I  am  sorry  with 
my  whole  heart;  and  I  hope  for  mercy  and 
pardon  from  thee,  who  art  infinite  in  bounty  and 
goodness.  If  thou  wast  not  infinite  goodness 
itself>  I  should  lose  all  hope,  and  should  not  dare 
to  crave  thy  pardon. 

1  give  thee  thanks,  my  beloved  Lord,  for  not 
having  consigned  me  to  hell,  as  I  have  deserved, 
and  for  having  borne  with  me  for  so  long  a  time. 
0  God,  how  ought  thy  patience  towards  me  to 
fill  me  with  love  towards  thee !  Who  would 
ever  hav$  borne  with  me  as  thou,  the  God  of 
infinite  mercy,  hast  done  ?  I  see  that  thou  hast 
given  thyself  to  me  now  for  so  long  a  time,  in 
order  that  I  may  love  thee.  I  will  no  longer 
resist  the  attractions  of  thy  love ;  behold  I  give 
myself  entirely  to  thee.    Now  have  I  begun; 


OF  THE  MASS. 


109 


as  much  as  I  have  offended  thee,  so  much  will 
I  now  love  thee.  I  love  thee,  my  sovereign 
good ;  I  love  thee,  0  infinite  goodness ;  I  love 
thee,  0  my  God,  who  art  worthy  of  infinite  love, 
and  I  would  willingly,  for  time  and  eternity  re- 
peat, I  love  thee,  I  love  thee,  I  love  thee. 

O  God,  how  many  years  have  I  lost  during 
which  I  might  have  loved  thee  and  gained  thy 
love  still  more  and  more,  and  I  have  slighted 
and  offended  thee !  But,  0  Jesus,  thy  precious 
blood  is  my  hope.  I  trust  that  I  shall  never 
more  cease  to  love  thee.  I  know  not  how  much 
of  life  may  remain  to  me  ]  but  the  years  which 
shall  remain,  whether  few  or  many,  shall  be  en- 
tirely consecrated  to  thee.  For  this  hast  thou 
so  long  waited  for  me.  fes,  my  beloved  Lordj 
I  desire  to  satisfy  thee,  I  desire  always  to  love 
thee,  and  thee  only  do  I  desire  to  love.  What 
are  pleasures !  what  are  riches !  what  are  honors ! 
thou,  thou  only,  0  God,  art  and  shalt  be  for 
ever,  my  love,  my  all. 

But  I  am  of  myself  capable  of  nothing  unless 
thou  assist  me  with  thy  grace.  Touch  thou  my 
heart,  inflame  it  with  thy  holy  love,  and  unite  it 
entirely  to  thee ;  and  unite  it  so  closely,  that  it 
may  never  more  be  able  to  withdraw  itself  from 
thee.  Thou  hast  promised  to  love  those  who 
love  thee :  Ego  diligenies  me  diligo,    Prov,  viii. 


1 


if 


m 


110 


ON  THE  HOLT  SAORIFIOE 


Now  I  do  love  thee;  do  thou  also  love  me, 
and  never  suffer  me  to  give  thee  any  cause  to 
cease  from  loving  me.  Qui  non  dtligit,  manef 
%n  morte,  1  Joan,  iii.  14,  Deliver  me  from  the 
death  of  not  being  able  to  love  thee.  Grant 
that  I  may  always  love  thee,  that  thou  mayest 
always  love  me ;  and  thus  our  love  become  eter- 
nal, and  never  to  be  dissolved  between  us. 
Grant  this,  0  Eternal  Father,  for  the  love  of 
Jesus  Christ.  Grant  it,  my  Jesus,  through  the 
merits  of  thy  passion  and  death  :  through  them 
do  I  confide  that  I  shall  always  love  thee,  and 
that  thou  wilt  always  love  me.  Mary,  Mother  of 
God,  and  my  mother  also,  pray  to  Jesus  for  me. 


THANKSGIVING  V. 


THURSDAY. 


0  God,  of  infinite  Majesty,  behold  at  thy  feet 
a  traitor  who  has  very  often  betrayed  thee. 
Thou  hast  many  times  pardoned  me ;  and  I, 
notwithstanding  thy  grace  and  thy  light,  have 
again  and  again  offended  thee.  Others  have 
sinnod  in  the  darkness  of  ignorance,  but  I  have 
sinned  in  the  midst  of  light.  But  listen  to  thy 
divine  Son,  whom  I  have  this  morning  offered  to 
thee  in  sacrifice,  and  received  within  my  breast ; 


OF  THE  MASS. 


Ill 


he  pleads  for  mercy  and  pardon.  Pardon  me  for 
the  love  of  Jesus  Christ;  I  am  sorry  with  my  whole 
heart  for  having  offended  thine  infinite  goodness. 

I  know  that  for  the  love  of  Jesus  Christ  thou 
art  pleased  to  he  reconciled  to  sinners.     Com-- 

placuit ,per  eum  reconciliare  omnia  in  ipsum, 

Colos,  i.  20.  For  the  love,  therefore,  of  Jesus 
Christ,  I  beseech  thee  be  reconciled  to  me.  JV*e 
projicias  me  a  facie  tua.  Cast  me  not  away  from 
thy  face,  as  I  have  deserved;  pardon  me  and 
change  my  heart.  Cor  mundum  crea  in  me 
DeiLs,  Grant  this  my  prayer  for  thine  own 
honor  and  glory.  Since  thou  hast  made  me  a 
Priest,  thy  Minister,  empowered  to  offer  to  thee 
in  sacrifice  thine  own  beloved  Son,  grant  that  I 
may  live  as  becometh  a  Priest  after  thine  own 
heart.  Consume  and  destroy  within  me  all 
earthly  affections  by  the  flames  of  divine  love. 
Grant  that  henceforward  I  may  be  grateful  to 
thee  for  the  many  graces  which  thou  hast  be- 
stowed upon  me,  and  for  the  great  love  which 
thou  hast  shown  me.  If  hitherto  I  have  disre- 
garded thy  friendship,  I  now  esteem  it  above  all 
the  kingdoms  of  the  world,  and  prefer  thy  plea- 
sure to  all  the  enjoyments  and  riches  of  earth 
and  of  heaven. 

0  my  Father,  for  the  love  of  Jesus  Christ 


h' 


fi.|i 


m 
f 


112 


ON  THE  HOLT  SACRIFICE 


separate  me  from  all  things  here  below.  Thou 
requirest  thy  Priests  to  separate  themselves  in 
all  things  from  the  world,  and  to  live  only  for 
thee,  and  to  promote  thy  honor  and  glory.  <S^6- 
gregate  mihi  Saulum  et  Barnabam  in  opus,  ad 
quod  assumpsi  eos,  •^d,  xiii.  2  I  know  that 
thou  requirest  the  same  of  me  ;  1  will  do  it^  but 
do  thou  assist  me  with  thy  grace.  Draw  me 
entirely  to  thyself.  Give  me  patience  and  resig- 
nation in  all  labors  and  difficulties.  Give  me 
the  spirit  of  mortification  far  thy  love.  Give 
me  the  spirit  of  true  humility,  that  I  may  be 
pleased  with  being  slighted  and  contemned. 
Doce  me  facere  voluntatem  tuam.  Teach  me  to 
do  thy  will,  and  then  will  I  do  whatever  thou 
requirest.  Accept  of  me,  0  God,  and  love  me, 
a  sinner,  who  have  hitherto  many  times  offended 
thee,  but  now  desire  truly  to  love  thee,  and  to 
be  entirely  thine.  0  Eternal  God,  I  hope  to 
love  thee  for  all  eternity :  and  hence  do  I  desire 
to  love  thee  much  here,  that  I  may  love  thee 
much  for  ever  hereafter. 

And  because  I  love  thee,  I  would  that  all 
others  did  know  and  love  thee.  And  since, 
0  Lord,  thou  hast  been  pleased  to  make  me  a 
Priest,  enable  me  by  thy  grace  to  labor  for  thee, 
and  to  bring  souls  to  thee.    I  hope  all  through 


OF  THE  MASS. 


113 


IS  in 
yfor 

Se- 
f,  ad 

that 
J  but 
7  me 
resig- 
re  me 

Give 
lay  be 
mned. 
me  to 
tbon 
^e  me, 
'ended 
and  to 
ope  to 

desire 

e  tbee 

lat  all 
since, 
e  me  a 
r  thee, 
hrough 


thy  merits,  0  Jesus  ;  and  through  thy  interces- 
sion, 0  holy  Mother  of  God. 


THANKSGIVING  VI. 


FRIDAY. 


0  Jesus,  how  couldst  thou,  from  amongst  so 
many  others,  have  chosen  me  to  be  one  of  thy 
Priests  ?  me  who  have  so  often  turned  my  back 
upon  thee,  and  disregarded  thy  grace  as  nothing  ? 
My  beloved  Lord,  I  am  grieved  from  the  bottom 
of  my  soul  for  having  done  so.  Dost  thou  say 
to  me,  "  Thy  sins  are  forgiven  thee  ?"  Yes, 
I  hope  that  thou  pronouncest  upon  me  this 
consoling  sentence.  Yes,  thou  hast  been  my 
Eedeemer,  not  only  once,  but  as  many  times  as 
thou  hast  pardoned  me.  O  my  Saviour !  would 
that  I  had  never  offended  thee!  Let  me  hear 
from  thy  sacred  lips  those  words  which  thou 
didst  address  to  Magdalene:  Remittuntur  tibi 
peccata  tua.  Let  me  know  that  thou  hast  again 
received  me  into  thy  favor,  by  granting  me  true 
contrition  for  my  sins. 

In  mantis  tuas  commendo  spiritum  meum: 
redemisH  «»e,  Domine  Deus  veritatis.  Ah  my 
divine  Pastor,  thou  didst  descend  from  heaven 
to  seek  me,  the  lost  sheep,  and  thou  dost  now 
descend  daily  upon  the  altar  for  my  welfare  : 
10 


!i 


i.  ■■ 


i> 


ft 


i 


urn 


I- 


li  i 


'111 


114 


ON  THE  HOLT  SACRIFICE 


thou  hast  given  thy  life  for  my  salvation,  do  not 
now  abandon  me.  Into  thy  hands  I  commend 
my  soul ;  in  pity  receive  it,  and  never  suffer  it 
to  be  again  taken  from  thee. 

Thou  hast  shed  all  thy  blood  for  me.  Te  ergo, 
quasumus,  tuis  famulis  subveni,  quos  pretioso 
sanguine  redemisti.  Thou  art  as  yet  my  advo- 
cate, and  not  my  judge ;  obtain  for  me  forgive- 
ness from  thy  Father,  obtain  for  me  light  and 
strength  to  love  thee  with  my  whole  soul. 
Grant  me  grace  so  to  spend  the  remainder  of 
my  days,  that  when  I  stand  before  th3e  as  my 
judge,  I  shall  see  thee  appeased  and  merciful. 

Eeign  by  thy  love  over  my  whole  heart : 
grant  that  I  may  be  entirely  thine ;  and  as  thou 
art  my  Saviour,  remind  me  continually  of  the 
love  which  thou  hast  borne  me,  bring  to  my 
mind  how  much  thou  hast  done  for  my  salva- 
tion, and  oblige  me  to  love  thee.  Thou  hast 
made  me  a  Priest  for  this  very  end,  that  I  may 
never  think  of  loving  any  other  but  thee. 

Yes,  my  Jesus,  I  do  desire  to  please  thee  :  I 
love  thee,  and  desire  to  love  non«  other  but 
thee.  Grant  me  humility,  patience  under  the 
labors  of  this  life,  meekness  under  affronts,  mor- 
tification, renunciation  of  all  earthly  pleasures, 
and  detachment  from  creatures  ]  and  grant  that 
I  may  cast  out  of  my  heart  every  aflFection  that 


OF  THE  MASS. 


115 


le :  I 

but 

the 

mor- 

ures, 

that 

that 


is  not  fix'^d  on  t'^ee.  I  ask  and  hope  all  from 
thee  through  the  merits  of  thy  passion.  ISIy 
dear  Jesus,  my  beloved  Jesus,  my  good  Jesus, 
hear  me :  0  bone  Jesu  exaudi  me.  And  do  thou, 
Mary,  my  mother  and  my  hope,  pray  to  Jesus 
for  me. 


THANKSGIVING  VII. 

SATURDAY. 

Loquere  Domine,  quia  audit  aervus  tuus. 
- 1.  Keg.  iii.  9.  My  dear  Jesus,  thou  hast  again 
come  this  morning  to  visit  me;  I  give  thee 
thanks  with  my  whole  soul.  Being  come  to 
me,  speak,  say  what  thou  requirest,  and  I  will 
obey  thee.  I  have  not  deserved  to  be  any  more 
spoken  to  by  thee,  having  been  so  often  deaf  to 
thy  voice,  when  thou  hast  called  me  to  thy  love, 
and  having  so  often  forsaken  thee.  But  I  have 
repented  of  all  my  offences  against  thee ;  and 
again  I  repent  of  them,  and  .hope  that  thou  hast 
pardoned  me.  Make  known  to  me,  therefore, 
thy  holy  will,  and  I  will  do  all  that  thou 
requirest  of  me. 

Oh  that  I  had  always  loved  thee,  my  God. 

Alas,  how  many  years  have  I  lost!    But  thy 

.  precious  blood  and  consoling  promises  make  me 

>  hope  that  I  shall  for  the  future  compensate  for 


!  'I 


if 


m 


!:.■ 
Il 

it 


^ 


II  •'.■ 


! 

■      I 


IP 


116 


ON  THE  HOLT  8A0RIFICE 


the  time  past  by  seeking  in  all  things  to  lore 
and  to  please  thee. 

I  love  thee,  my  Redeemer,  I  love  thee,  my 
God,  and  I  desire  nothing  but  to  love  thee  with 
my  whole  heart,  and  even  to  die  for  the  love  of 
thee,  who  hast  died  for  the  love  of  me.  ^more 
amoris  tui,  will  I  say  to  thee  with  St.  Francis, 
moriar,  qui  amore  amoris  mei  dignatus  es  mori. 
Thou,  my  Jesus,  hast  given  all  to  me,  thy  blood, 
thy  life,  all  thy  labors  and  fatigues,  and  all  thy 
merits,  so  that  nothing  more  remained  for  thee 
to  bestow  upon  me ;  behold,  I  give  my  whole  self 
to  thee  ;  I  give  thee  all  my  enjoyments,  all  the 
pleasures  of  the  earth,  my  body,  my  soul,  my 
will,  so  that  I  have  not  anything  more  that  I 
can  give  thee ;  if  I  had  I  would  give  it  to  thee. 
My  dear  Jesus,  thou  alone  art  indeed  sufficient 
for  me. 

But,  0  Lord,  make  me  faithful  to  thee ; 
never  permit  me  to  be  so  unfaithful  as  to  divert 
my  will  from  thee,  and  to  separate  myself  from 
thee.  I  hope  through  the  merits  of  thy  pas- 
sion, 0  Lord,  that  this  will  never  happen.  Thou 
hast  said:  JYullus  speravit  in  Domino,  et  con- 
fusus  est,  EccL  ii.  11.  Even  I  therefore  may 
confidently  say  :  In  fe,  Domine,  speravi,  non  con- 
fundar  in  externum,  I  hope,  and  I  will  always 
hope,  0  God   of  my  soul,  that  I   shall  never 


OF  THE  MASS. 


117 


undergo  the  confusion  of  seoinja;  myself  sepa- 
rated from  thee,  and  oftensive  to  thee.  Jn  /e, 
Domine,  speravi  non  cunfundar  in  aternum. 

My  God,  thou  art  omnipotent,  make  me  holy^ 
grant  that  I  may  really  love  thee ;  grant  that  I 
may  omit  nothing  that  can  conduce  to  thy  glory, 
and  overcome  all  things  in  order  to  please  thee. 
Happy  for  me  if  I  lose  all  and  gain  thee  and 
thy  love.  For  this  end  thou  hast  given  me  life  ; 
grant  that  1  may  spend  it  all  in  thy  love  and 
service.  I  do  not  deserve  favors,  but  chastise- 
ments :  and  I  will  say  to  thee,  chastise  me  as 
thou  pleasest,  but  do  not  deprive  me  of  thy 
love.  Thou  hast  loved  me  without  reserve :  I 
desire  to  love  thee  without  reserve,  who  art  the 
infinite  good,  infinite  love.  O  holy  will  of  God, 
thou  art  my  love.  0  my  Jesus,  thou  hast  died 
for  me,  would  that  I  could  die  for  thee,  and  by 
my  death  induce  all  others  to  love  thee.  O 
infinite  goodness,  I  esteem  and  love  thee  as 
being  infinitely  more  amiable  than  all  things 
else.  0  Mary,  draw  me  entirely  to  God ;  give 
me  confidence  in  thee,  that  I  may  always  have 
recourse  to  thee.  By  thy  powerful  interces- 
sion thou  canst  make  me  holy;  pray  to  Jesus 
for  me. 
10*      ■.,..,..  ...  ,,.,..:.„.■   ■  / 


i 


P^ 


j.    :■ 


:» t 


M-.J 


li 


IK!;! 

if 


r  *■ 


"r 


t 


!!!i| 


118  ON  THE  HOLT  SACRIFICE 


Aspirations  of  €ovt  after  iHass, 

COLLECTED  FROM  THE  MANUSCRIPTS 
.       OF  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  SALES. 

0  EXCESS  of  love !  0  sacred  Host !  I  adore 
thee  within  me.  My  heart  is  too  small  to  love 
thee,  0  Jesus ;  and  my  tongue  too  feeble  to 
praise  thy  bounty.  0  my  Saviour,  how  great 
are  my  obligations  to  thee,  for  having  come  to 
visit  so  poor  a  creature !  I  oflFer  my  whole  self  to 
thee  in  acknowledgment  of  so  great  a  benefit. 

1  no  longer  desire  to  live,  but  that  Jesus 
may  live  in  me.  He  is  mine,  and  I  am  his  for 
eternity.  0  love,  love!  and  no  more  sin.  I 
will  never  forget  the  bounty  and  mercy  of  Jesus 
my  Saviour  and  my  Guest.  Yes,  my  God,  I 
believe  without  the  least  doubt,  that  thou  art 
now,  both*  body  and  soul,  within  my  breast ; 
thy  divinity  resides  now  within  me,  and  is  now 
united  with  me. 

0  God,  thou  art  come  to  be  united  with  me ; 
to  apply  to  me  abundantly  the  merits  of  thy  pas- 
sion, and  to  sanctify  me.  Accomplish  within  me 
all  that  for  which  thou  art  come.  My  God,  all- 
wise  and  all-powerful,  let  not  thy  coming  to  me 
be  in  vain !  Unite  thyself  to  me,  and  me  to  thy- 
self by  an  inseparable  union,  and  by  perfect  love. 


OF  THE  MA.SS. 


119 


me; 


0  my  Saviour,  for  the  sake  of  thine  infinite 
goodness,  by  which  thou  didst  descend  from 
heaven  upon  the  earth,  I  beseech  thee  to  grant 
me  to  experience  the  effects  of  thy  love,  in  so 
inflaming  my  soul  that,  despising  all  terrestrial 
things,  I  may  regard  only  thee,  and  think  only 
of  thee  ;  so  that  the  love  which  caused  thee  to 
die  upon  the  cross,  may  make  me  die  in  thee, 
in  order  to  live  for  thee  for  all  eternity. 

0  God  of  my  soul,  who  deservest  to  be  loved 
above  all  creatures,  I  protest  that  thou  art  the 
only  object  of  my  affections,  and  that  I  prefer 
thee  before  all  things  in  the  world,  and  myself 
also.  I  desire  to  be  faithful  to  thee,  and  never 
more  to  be  separated  from  thee. 

1  resign  myself,  I  abandon  myself  entirely 
into  thy  hands,  by  embracing  with  all  affection 
and  reverence  thy  blessed  will,  and  thy  just 
designs  in  my  regard.  And  I  beseech  thee, 
that  whatever  thou  hast  appointed  for  me  in 
time  and  eternity,  may  be  accomplished  in  me ; 
but  I  hope  one  day  to  see  thy  divine  face,  and 
to  behold  thine  infinite  beauty.  My  God,  draw 
me  to  thyself  that  I  may  love  thee,  and  so  glow 
with  the  fervor  of  thy  love,  that  I  may  be  wholly 
consumed  in  it. 

0  eternal  Father,  for  the  love  of  thine  only 
Son,  fill  my  mind  with  holy  thoughts,  to  remind 


jl! ! 


't 


\ 


120 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


me  continually  of  thee  and  of  thy  Son.  0  grant 
me  to  know  and  to  do  whatever  thou  requirest 
of  me.  And  thou,  0  Holy  Spirit,  inflame  my 
will  with  holy  aflfections,  that  they  may  pro- 
duce all  those  fruits  which  proceed  from  thy 
love.  Enlighten  me  with  thy  divine  light,  that 
I  may  walk  straight  forward  to  thee,  and  my 
will  have  no  other  liberty  but  to  become  entirely 
thine. 

0  Word  incarnate,  gr?mt  that  I  may  love 
thee,  and  none  but  thee.  Kemove  from  me 
all  occasions  which  may  divert  me  from  loving 
thee.  Grant  that  with  my  whole  heart  I  may 
continually  look  up  to  thee  and  serve  thee  as 
the  sovereign  love  of  all  hearts.  Thou  didst 
come  into  the  world  only  to  abide  in  those 
hearts  which  thou  liast  redeemed  with  thy 
blood  :  may  my  heart  then  be  completely  thine, 
enter  into  jt  and  take  possession  of  it,  and  from 
thence  seeing  all  my  wants,  enlighten  me,  and 
make  me  ever  ready  to  obey  thy  will. 

O  omnipotent  Jesus,  remove  from  me  all 
impediments  to  the  effects  of  thy  infinite  power 
and  goodness.  I  divest  myself  of  my  own 
liberty,  and  consecrate  it  entirely  to  the  dis- 
posal of  thy  will.  Have  pity  on  me,  and  heal 
me  of  all  impurities  and  want  of  fidelity  j  fill 
me  with   thy  grace  and  wisdom.     I' abandon 


OP  THE  MASS. 


121 


myself  entirely  to  thee,  0  my  Jesus ;  I  desire 
to  be  all  thine ;  I  desire  to  labor  fervently  in 
promoting  thy  glory,  and,  at  the  sight  of  thy 
sufferings,  to  suffer  patiently  all  tribulations. 
Grant  that  in  all  things  I  may  do  what  is  best 
pleasing  to  thee. 

My  God,  even  were  there  no  punishment  for 
the  wicked,  I  would  not  cease  to  love  thee  and 
to  suffer  for  thee.  Grant  that  I  may  correspond 
with  thy  designs.  Grant  that  for  the  future 
thou  alone  ma3'est  be  my  portion  for  ever.  0 
Word  Incarnate,  cleanse  my  heart  with  thy 
blood,  and  imprint  in  it,  as  the  pledge  of  thy 
love,  thy  holy  name  Jesus. 

0  my  Jesus,  through  that  eternal  love  which 
thou  hast  borne  me,  grant  that  I  may  love  thee 
for  the  little  time  of  life  that  may  remain  to  me 
on  earth,  that  so  I  may  love  thee  for  all  eternity 
in  heaven.  0  God  of  love,  grant  that  I  may 
live  only  for  thee.  When  shall  I  be  all  thine, 
as  thou  art  all  mine  ?  When  shall  I  die  to 
myself,  to  live  entirely  for  thy  love  ?  I  know 
not  how  to  give  myself  to  thee  as  I  ought  j  do 
thou,  O  God,  take  possession  of  me,  and  make 
me  all  thine  own. 

0  ever  Blessed  Virgin,  I  rejoice  with  thee, 
that  thou  didst  gain  the  heart  of  thy  God ;  0 
unite  me  entirely  to  thy  Son ;  speak  to  him  for 


122 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


!■• 


n 


\k 


;ii 


lit! 


me,  and  obtain  for  me  grace  to  do  whatever  he 
may  inspire  me  to  do.  And  do  thou  teach  me 
to  practise  the  virtues  which  thou  didst  exercise 
on  earth ;  and  detach  me  from  every  thing  which 
is  not  God,  that  I  may  love  him  with  my  whole 
strength. 

My  God,  inflame  me  entirely  witl\  thy  holy 
love,  that  I  may  seek  for  nothing  but  to  please 
thee ;  expel  from  my  heart  every  thing  that  is 
in  the  least  displeasing  to  thee.  Grant  that  I 
may  ever  be  able  to  say  with  real  affection  :  My 
God,  my  God,  thee  only  do  I  desire,  and  nothing 
more.  My  Jesus,  grant  me  a  great  affection  for 
thy  most  sacred  Passion,  that  I  may  ever  have 
before  my  eyes  thy  sufferings  and  death,  to 
inflame  me  with  love  for  thee,  and  ever  to  urge 
me  to  make  thee  some  return  of  gratitude  for 
the  immensity  of  thy  love.  Grant  me  also  a 
great  affection  for  the  mofet  holy  Sacrament  of 
the  Altar,  in  which  thou  hast  displayed  the  ten- 
derness of  thy  love  towards  us.  I  bqseech  thee 
also  to  grant  me  a  tender  devotion  to  thy  most 
holy  Mother ;  give  me  grace  always  to  love  her 
and  to  serve  her  by  having  recourse  to  her  inter- 
cession, and  to  ornament  her  altars,  and  to  confide 
in  her  patronage ;  and  ever  grant  to  me  and  to 
all  a  great  confidence  in  the  merits  of  thy  pas- 
sion, and  in  the  intercession  of  Mary. 


OF  THE  MASS. 


123 


I  beseech  thee  to  grant  me  a  holy  death. 
Grant  that  I  may  then  receive  with  great  love 
the  most  holy  Viaticum;  that  embracing  thee, 
burning  with  divine  love  and  with  an  ardent 
desire  of  seeing  thee,  I  may  depart  this  life,  to 
embrace  thy  feet  as  soon  as  I  behold  thee. 

0  my  king,  come  and  reign  alone  in  my  soul ; 
do  thou  take  full  possession  of  it,  that  it  may 
serve  and  obey  only  thy  love. 

0  that  I  could,  my  Jesus,  be  wholly  con- 
sumed for  thee,  who  didst  ci  "sume  thy  whole 
life  for  me  ! 

0  Lamb  of  God,  sacrificed  upon  the  cross,  re- 
member that  I  am  one  of  those  souls  whom  thou 
didst  redeem  with  so  many  labors  and  sufferings. 
Grant  that  I  may  never  lose  thee*  Thou  hast 
given  thyself  wholly  to  me ;  grant  that  I  may  be 
wholly  thine,  and  have  no  other  end  in  view  but 
to  please  thee.  I  love  thee,  0  immense  and 
sovereign  good,  in  order  to  please  thee :  I  love 
thee  because  thou  art  infinitely  worthy  of  love. 
My  greatest  afiliction  is  to  have  lived  so  long 
without  loving  thee. 

My  beloved  Kedeemer,  grant  me  to  share  in 
that  grief  for  my  sins  which  overwhelmed  thee 
in  the  garden  of  Gethsemani.  0  my  Jesus,  that 
I  had  died  rather  than  have  ever  offended  thee  ! 


its 


■ 


-'II 


''I 


lili 


124 


ON  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE 


0  love  of  my  Jesus,  thou  art  my  love  and  my 
hope.  I  desire  to  lose  my  life  a  thousand  times 
rather  than  lose  thy  grace. 

My  God,  had  I  died  in  the  state  of  sin,  I 
could  not  now  have  loved  thee  any  more.  1 
thank  thee  for  affording  me  time  and  calling  me 
to  love  thee.  Now  that  I  am  able,  I  will  love 
thee  with  my  whole  soul.  Thou  hast  preserved 
me  until  now  in  order  that  I  may  love  thee  ;  and 

1  will  love  thee.  0  for  the  sake  of  thy  precious 
blood  which  thou  didst  shed  for  me,  never  suffer 
me  again  to  forsake  thee  :  In  te,  Domine^  spera- 
vi,  non  confundar  in  ceternum.  What  is  the 
world !  what  are  riches,  pleasures,  honors  !  God, 
and  God  only  do  I  desire.  My  God,  thou  alone 
art  sufficient  for  me,  for  thou  art  the  sovereign, 
infinite  good. 

O  my  Jesus,  bind  me  wholly  to  thy  love,  and 
draw  to  thyself  all  my  affections,  so  that  I  may 
not  be  able  to  love  any  other  but  thee.  Grant 
that  before  death  I  may  be  indeed  wholly  thine. 

Ah,  my  God,  so  long  as  I  live  I  am  in  danger 
of  offending  thee  !  Alas,  when  shall  that  day 
come  when  I  shall  be  able  to  say  :  my  Jesus,  I 
now  can  never  lose  thee ! 

0  Eternal  Father,  for  the  love  of  Jesus  Christ 
do  not  despise  me  j  accept  of  me  to  love  thee, 


OF  THE  MASS. 


125 


and  give  me  divine  love.  I  desire  to  love  thee 
as  much  as  I  am  able  in  this  world,  that  I  may 
love  thee  for  ever  in  the  next. 

0  infinite  good,  I  love  thee ;  but  enable  me 
to  know  how  great  a  good  I  love,  and  to  love 
thee  as  thou  desirest.  Grant  that  I  may  over- 
come all  in  order  to  please  thee. 

0  Mary,  who  so  much  desirest  to  see  thy  dear 
Son  loved,  this  do  I  entreat  of  thee,  that  thou 
wilt  obtain  for  me  to  love  him  during  the  whole 
remainder  of  my  life,  and  nothing  more  do  I 
wish  for.  Most  blessed  Lady,  my  Mother,  in 
thee  do  I  confide  :  thou  dost  obtain  whatever 
thou  askest  of  God ;  thou  prayest  for  all  who  are 
devout  to  thee,  pray  also  for  me. 


11 


126 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


©n  t\]t  Wmnt  ®fRce. 


OF  DEVOUTLY  RECITING  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE.      > 

To  those  who  are  deputed  by  the  Church  to 
recite  the  Canonical  Hours,  two  very  great  and 
important  offices  are  entrusted — that  of  praising 
and  glorifying  God,  and  that  of  imploring  the 
divine  mercies  upon  all  Christian  people.  In 
the  first  place,  then,  the  supreme  majesty  of  God 
is  to  be  honored  by  the  reciting  of  the  Office. 
Sacrificium  laudis  honorificahit  me  :  et  illic  iter^ 
quo  ostendam  illi  salutare  Dei,  Ps,  xlix.  23. 
I  declare  myself  honored,  saith  the  Lord,  by 
him  who  offers  me  a  sacrifice  of  praise ;  and  there- 
by he  shall  find  the  way  of  obtaining  eternal 
salvation.  St.  Mary  Magdalen  of  Pazzi,  when 
she  heard  the  bell  for  Office,  was  filled  with  con- 
solation, and  hastened  immediately  to  the  choir, 
delighted  with  the  thought  that  she  was  going 
to  be  engaged  in  the  employment  of  the  angels, 
whose  constant  occupation  it  is  to  praise  God. 
And  it  is  for  this  end  that  the  Church  has  ap- 
pointed her  ministers  to  sing  the  Divine  Office, 
that  men  on  earth  may  join  with  the  blessed  in 
heaven  in  honoring  their  common  Creator. 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


127 


Sed  ilia  sedes  ccelitum 

Semper  exultat  laudibus  ; 

Illi  canentes  jungimur 

AlmcB  Sionis  (nmuli. 
St.  Gregory  Nazianzen  says,  that  the  chanting 
of  the  Psalms  is  a  prelude  of  the  praises  with 
which  the  Saints  honor  God  in  heaven  :  Psnlmo- 
rum  cantus  illius  (coelestis)  hymnodice  prceludium 
est,  S.  Greg,  J^az,  Or,  40,  in  fin.  Thus,  ac- 
cording to  TertuUian,  when  we  recite  the  Cano- 
nical Hours,  we,  as  it  were,  take  possession  of 
heaven,  inasmuch  as  we  discharge  the  same  duty 
as  the  inhabitants  of  that  blessed  country. 
Hence,  St.  Catharine  of  Bologna  took  so  much 
delight  in  reciting  the  Divine  Office,  that  she 
wished  her  death  might  take  place  while  she  was 
so  engaged. 

In  the  second  place,  by  the  office  God  is  to  be 
thanked  for  all  the  graces  and  favors  which  he  is 
continually  bestowing  on  mankind,  and  his  divine 
mercy  is  to  be  obtained  for  poor  sinners.  It  is 
the  duty  of  the  faithful  in  general  to  thank  God 
for  all  his  benefits  :  and  as  all  stand  in  need 
here  below  of  the  divine  assistance,  in  order  to 
resist  their  spiritual  enemies,  and  to  obtain  eter- 
nal salvation,  so  all  are  likewise  bound  to  implore 
by  prayer  the  succor  of  his  mercies ;  but  as 
seculars  are  constantly  distracted  with  the  affairs 


[i 


W'l 


i  • 


128 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


of  the  world,  the  holy  Church  has  appointed 
her  ministers  to  implore  for  themselves  and  for 
all  the  people  of  Christ  the  assistance  of  his 
divine  majesty  through  the  different  hours  of  the 
day.  For  this  end  is  the  Office  divided  into 
seven  Canonical  Hours,  that  there  may  be  al- 
ways some  praying  for  all,  and  in  the  best  form 
of  prayer ;  inasmuch  as  the  Divine  Office  is  no- 
thing less  than  a  memorial  drawn  up  for  us  by 
God  himself,  through  which  he  may  more  readily 
hear  our  prayers  and  succor  us  in  our  necessities, 
as  he  declares  to  us  by  the  prophet  Isaias :  Fer- 
ba  mea  qucR  posui  in  ore  tuo,  ha.  lix.  21.  In 
this  our  good  God  acts  as  a  prince  who,  wishing 
to  relieve  the  miseries  of  his  vassals,  draws  up 
for  them  himself  a  form  of  supplication  suitable 
to  his  dignity  and  their  own  wants,  that  he  may 
be  the  better  able  to  console  them.  Many  pri- 
vate prayers  do  not  iequal  in  value  only  one 
prayer  of  the  Divine  Office,  as  being  offered  to 
God  in  the  name  of  the  whole  Church  and  in  his 
own  appointed  words.  Hence  St.  Mary  Magda- 
len of  Pazzi  says  that,  in  comparison  with  the 
Divine  Office,  all  other  prayers  and  devotions  are 
but  of  little  merit  and  efficacy  with  God.  Let 
us  be  convinced,  then,  that  after  the  holy  Sacri- 
fice of  the  Mass,  the  Church  possesses  no  source, 
no   treasure,   so   abundant  as  the   Office,  from 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


129 


which  we  may  draw  such  daily  streams  of 
grace. 

But  St.  Gregory  says  that  true  prayer  con- 
sists not  only  in  the  pronunciation  of  the  words, 
but  also  in  the  attention  of  the  heart ;  inasmuch 
as  our  good  desires  prevail  much  more  with  God 
in  obtaining  his  divine  mercies,  than  simply  our 
voices  :  Vera  postulatio  non  est  in  vocibus,  sed 
in  cogitationibus  cordis;  valentiores  namque 
voces  npud  aures  Dei  non  faciunt  verba  nostra, 
sed  desideria,  S,  Greg.  Mor,  lib,  22.  cap,  13. 
It  is,  therefore,  necessary,  if  we  would  please 
God,  to  pray  not  only  with  the  voice,  but  with 
the  spirit  and  the  mind,  after  the  example  of  the 
apostle  :  Psdllam  spiritu,  psallam  et  menfe,  1 
Cor,  xiv.  15. 

K  Priests  and  Religious  did  all  recite  the 
Oflfice  as  it  ought  to  be  recited,  the  Church 
would  not  behold  herself  in  the  miserable  state 
to  which  she  is  reduced.  How  inany  sinners 
would  be  delivered  from  the  slavery  of  the  devil, 
and  how  many  souls  would  love  God  with  much 
greater  fervor !  And  how  would  Priests  them- 
selves not  find  themselves  ever  the  same,  im- 
perfect, irritable,  jealous,  attached  to  their  own 
interests,  and  led  away  by  vanities  !  Our  Lord 
has  promised  to  hear  every  one  who  prays  to 
him  :  Omnis  enim  qui  petit^  accipit,  Luc,  xi.  10. 
11* 


I'll 


130 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


r 


: 


r  ■  ;i: 
,1  ■'■■ 


i 


And  how  comes  it  that  a  Priest  offering  up  so 
many  prayers  in  a  day,  were  it  only  in  the  Office 
which  he  recites,  is  yet  never  heard?  He  is 
always  the  same,  as  weak  and  prone  as  ever 
to  fall  not  only  into  slight  sins  (to  which  he  is 
habituated,  and  takes  neither  pains  nor  care  to 
correct  himself  of  them,)  but  into  grievous  sins 
against  charity,  justice,  or  chastity  ;  hence  when 
he  recites  the  Office,  he  pronounces  sentence  of 
condemnation  against  himself,  in  these  words : 
Maledidi  qui  declinant  a  mandatis  tuis.  And 
what  is  still  worse,  he  feels  little  remorse,  ex- 
cusing himself  as  being  of  the  same  flesh  and 
blood  as  other  men,  and  not  able  to  restrain 
himself.  But  if  he  said  the  Office  with  fewer 
distractions  and  less  negligence,  accoi  .panying 
with  his  heart  the  many  prayers  which  he  offers 
to  God  in  reciting  it,  he  certainly  would  not  be 
so  weak,  but  would  acquire  fortitude  and  strength 
to  resist  all  temptations,  and  to  lead  a  holy  life, 
such  as  becometh  a  Priest  of  God.  ' 

But,  how,  says  St.  Gregory,  can  God  regard 
the  prayers  of  him  who  knows  not  what  he  is 
asking,  nor  at  all  times  desires  to  be  heard  1 
Illam  orationem  non  audit  Deus,  cui  qui  orat 
non  intendit  •^ss,  S.  Thorn.  2.  2.  qui.  83.  art. 
12.  The  apostle  'tells  us  that  the  prayer  of 
only  the  lips  is  fruitless :  Si  or  em  lingua mens 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


131 


autem  mm  sinefructu  est,  1  Cor,  xiv.  14.  As 
prayer  offered  with  attention  and  devotion  is  a 
sweet-smelling  incense,  which  is  most  pleasing  to 
God",  and  brings  down  for  us  treasures  of  grace ; 
so,  on  the  contrary,  prayer  offered  with  dis^:rac- 
tions  and  indevotion,  is  an  abomination  in  his 
eyes,  which  excites  his  indignation,  and  brings 
upon  us  his  wrath. 

The  Almighty  one  day  complained  of  this  to 
St.  Brigit,  saying,  that  Priests  lost  much  time 
every  day,  in  entertaining  themselves  with  their 
friends  on  worldly  topics  ;  but  that  when  they 
came  to  speak  with  him  in  the  Divine  Office, 
they  were  in  such  haste,  that  instead  of  honoring 
they  dishonored  him.  Hence  St.  Augustine 
said,  that  the  barking  of  a  dog  was  more  pleas- 
ing to  God  than  tlie  chanting  of  such  Priests. 
0  God,  how  indignant  would  an  earthly  prince 
be,  were  one  of  liis  vassals,  while  in  the  act  of 
petitioning  him  for  some  favor,  to  be  so  dis- 
tracted and  ^  iken  up  with  other  things  as  not  to 
know  wl  i  was  saying !  Hence  the  Angelic 
Doctor  Wl  .OS,  that  no  one  can  be  excused  of  sin, 
who  at  prayer,  although  not  of  obligation,  is 
voluntarily  distracted,  because  he  thereby  slights 
God,  as  one  would  do,  who,  speaking  to  an- 
other, paid  no  attention  to  what  he  was  saying : 
JVon  est  absque  peccato,  quod  aliquis  orando  eva- 


r  m 


i  ,  , 


?  ]■■ 


ll: 


J 


,    * 


Ml! 


'1' 


01 

m 


132 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


gationem  mentis  patiatur :  videtur  enim  contem- 
nere  Deum,  sicufi  si  alicui  homini  loqueretur,  et 
non  attenderet  ad  ea,  qum  ipse  profert.  2.  2.  q. 
83,  art,  12. 

Alas!  of  how  many  Priests  will  the  Lord 
complain,  as  he  complained  of  old  of  the  Jews  ! 
Populus  hie  lahiis  me  honorat :  cor  autem  eorum 
longe  est  a  me.  Matt,  xv.  8.  And  of  how  many 
might  be  said  what  Peter  of  Blois  writes  ?  Libia 
sunt  in  canticis,  et  animus  in  patinis,  Serm. 
59.  ad  Sacred,  While  their  lips  pronounce  the 
Psalms  and  Canticles,  their  minds  are  in  the 
pleasures  of  the  table ;  thinking  how  they  may 
best  gratify  their  appetites  or  their  vanity,  their 
thirst  for  riches  or  similar  wordly  desires.  The 
Cou  jcil  of  Treves  says  :  Quid  est  voce  psallere, 
mente  autem  domUm,  aut  forum  circuire,  nisi 
homines  fallere  et  Deum  irridere  ?  Cone,  Trevier, 
cap,  6  de  Hor,  Canon,  What  else  is  it  to  chant 
the  psalms  with  the  voice,  and  in  mind  to  be 
going  through  the  streets  and  squares,  but  to 
deceive  men,  by  making  them  believe  that  you 
are  praising  God,  when  in  reality  you  are  mock- 
ing him,  speaking  to  him  indeed  with  your  lips, 
but  giving  3/our  minds  and  hearts  to  anything 
rather  than  to  praising  him  and  praying  to  him  ? 
Hence  St.  Basil  justly  concludes,  that  as,  in 
order  to  obtain  favors,  it  is  necessary  to  pray  for 


'  ^^fi\ 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


133 


tuTy  et 
2.  q. 

Lord 
Jews  ! 
eorum 
'  many 
Libia 
Serm. 
ice  the 
in  the 
3y  may 
,  their 
The 
mllere, 
nisi 
revier, 
chant 
to  be 
but  to 
lat  you 
mock- 
ir  lips, 
ything 
him? 
las,  in 
:ay  for 


them  with  attention  and  fervor,  so  he  who  prays 
with  a  mind  wandering  upon  distracting  objects, 
will  not  obtain  the  favors  which  he  asks,  but 
will  provoke  the  Lord  to  indignation  :  Divinum 
auxilium  est  implorandum  non  remisse,  nee 
mente  hue  vel  illuc  evagante  ;  eo  quod  talis  non 
solum  non  impetrabit  sed  magis  Dominum  irri' 
tabit,     S.  Bas.  Serm.  de  orando  Deo, 

Our  Lord  has  said  by  his  prophet  Malachy, 
that  he  curses  the  praises  of  those  Priests  who 
bless  him  only  with  their  lips,  while  their  hearts 
are  engaged  upon  everything  else  but  his  honor 
and  glory :  Et  nunc  ad  vos  mandatum  hoc,  0 
Sacerdofes.      Si  nolueritis  super  cor,  ut  detis 

gloriam  nomini  meo,  ait  Dominus  exercitrium 

maledicam  benedictionibus  vestris.  MaL  xi.  1,  2. 
Hence  may  be  said  of  that  unhappy  Priest,  who 
says  his  Office  in  this  careless  manner,  what  is 
written  in  the  108th  Psalm,  6,  7,  Diabolus  stet 
a  dfixtris  ejus.  Cum  judicatur  eaeat  condemna- 
tus,  et  or  alio  ejus  fiat  in  peccatum. 

While  he  is  reciting  the  divine  praises  with 
his  lips  only,  sometimes  only  half  pronouncing 
the  words,  at  other  times  conversing  or  amusing 
himself  with  others,  his  mind  dissipated  and  dis- 
tracted with  the  affairs  or  pleasures  of  the  world, 
the  devil  stands  by  his  side,  and  his  reward  for 
such  Office  will  be  eternal  damnation,  since  his 


:  '  H 


134 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


;i 


very  prayer  itself  will  be  imputed  to  him  as  a 
sin,  on  account  of  the  unworthy  manner  in  which 
he  offers  it ;  which  is  the  signification  of  those 
words  :  et  oratio  ejus  fiat  in  peccatum. 

And  hence  is  the  devil  so  busy  in  putting  into 
the  mind,  while  we  are  reciting  the  Office,  so 
many  of  the  affairs,  desires  and  pleasures  of  the 
worJd,  that  engaging  our  thoughts  with  such 
things,  he  may  rob  us  of  all  the  fruit  we  might 
otherwise  reap  from  the  Office,  and  render  us 
culpable  in  the  sight  of  God,  by  causing  us  to 
treat  him  with  such  little  respect.  On  this  ac- 
count we  ought  to  take  the  greatest  care  to 
recite  the  divine  praises  with  proper  attention. 
A  good  Religious  once  said,  that  when  pressed 
for  time,  we  had  better  shorten  our  mental 
prayer,  in  order  to  have  sufficient  leisure  to 
recite  the  Office  with  proper  devotion.  Agree- 
ably with  this,  we  find  in  the  rules  of  the  Car- 
thusians :  Spiritus  Sandus  gratum  non  recipit 
quidquid  aliud,  qua/n  quod  debes,  obtulerisj  neg- 
lecto  eo  quod  debes.  Carth,  part,  3  God  is  not 
pleased  with  any  act  of  devotion  which  we  per- 
form, if  by  performing  it,  we  neglect  that  to 
which  duty  obliges  us. 

But  omitting  jther  reflections,  let  us  come 
to  the  manner  in  which  we  are  practicdiy  to 
recite  the  Office  with  becoming  attention  and 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


135 


,m  as  a 
L  which 
f  those 

ng  into 
Bee,  so 
of  the 
h • such 
e  might 
ider  us 
g  us  to 
this  ac- 
care  to 
itention. 
pressed 
mental 
sure   to 
Agree- 
the  Car- 
i  recipit 
is,  neg- 
)d  is  not 
we  per- 
that  to 

IS  come 
icdly  to 
ion  and 


devotion.  Before  every  thing  else,  says  St. 
John  Chrysostom,  when  we  enter  the  Church, 
or  take  the  Breviary  in  our  hands,  to  discharge 
our  obligation  of  reciting  the  Divine  Office, 
let  us  leave  outside  the  door,  and  expel  from 
our  minds  all  worldly  thoughts.  JVe  quis  ingrC' 
diatur  templum  curis  onvstus  mundanis ;  hcec 
ante  ostium  deponamus.  Chyrs,  Horn,  2.  c.  6. 
To  this  does  the  Holy  Spirit  exhort  us  when 
he  says:  Ante  orationem  prcspara  mentem. 
Eccl.  xviii.  23.  Consider,  that  then  the  Church 
charges  you  as  her  Minister  to  go  and  praise 
the  Lord,  and  to  implore  his  divine  mercies 
for  all  mankind.  Imagine  to  yourself  that  the 
angels  stand  by  you,  as  they  were  once  seen 
by  Blessed  Ermando,  with  thuribles  in  their 
hands,  ready  to  offer  up  your  prayers  to  God 
as  sweet-smelling  incense  of  holy  love,  as  the 
Psalmist  says :  Dirigatur^  Domine,  oratio  mea, 
sicut  incensum  in  conspedu  tuo,  cxl.  Thus  the 
Apostle  St.  John  describes  the  Angels  as  hahen^ 

tes .phialas  aureas  plehas  adoramentorum,  qua 

sunt  orationes  Sanctorum,  Apoc.  v.  8.  In  a 
word,  think  that  you  are  going  to  speak  with 
God,  and  to  treat  with  him  of  your  own  welfare, 
and  of  that  of  the  whole  Church;  and  reflect 
that  he  then  regards  you  with  greater  love,  and 
listens  more  propitiously  to  your  petitions. 


136 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


I 

'■if! 


% 

ji 

,   , 
t 

'  'hKH 

- 

i 

In  the  beginning,  then,  offer  to  him  the 
praises  which  you  are  about  to  pour  forth  in 
his  honor,  and  beseech  him  to  free  you  from  dis- 
tractions, and  to  give  you  light  and  help  to 
praise  him  and  to  pray  to  him  as  he  deserves ; 
and  for  this  end  recite  attentively  the  usual 
prayer :  •^peri  Domine  os  meum  ad  henediceiu 
dum,  etc.  When  you  begin  the  Office,  do  not 
hurry  yourself  in  order  to  get  through  it  as  soon 
as  possible,  as  some  do,  and  v^ould  to  Grod  they 
were  not  the  greater  number.  0  my  God !  the 
Office  is  to  be  said,  and  at  once  we  are  weary. 
And  shall  we,  in  order  to  spare  ourselves  the 
little  more  time  required  to  recite  it  devoutly, 
displease  God,  and  deprive  ourselves  of  the 
graces  and  merits  which  we  might  otherwise  gain 
by  reciting  it  with  proper  attention  ? 

We  should  then  place  ourselves  in  a  modest 
and  becoming  posture.  If  we  do  not  intend  to 
say  it  kneeling  or  standing,  but  sitting  down, 
let  us  at  least  carefully  avoid  any  negligent 
attitude.  It  is  related  of  two  Keligious,  that 
while  they  were  reciting  Matins  together  re- 
clined as  on  a  couch,  the  devil  appeared  to 
them,  bringing  with  him  an  intolerable  stench, 
and  scornfully  said  to  them:  such  prayer  de- 
serves such  incense.  M  talem  orationem  tale 
debetur  incensum,    Jordan,   de  Saxon,  in  Vit. 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


137 


in   the 
rth  in 
»m  dis- 
sip    to 
serves ; 
usual 
ediceiu 
do  not 
Eis  soon 
)d  they 
>d!  the 
weary. 
^es  the 
jvoutly, 
of   the 
se  gain 

modest 
[tend  to 

down, 
3gligent 
IS,  that 
)her  re- 
ared to 

stench, 
jrer  de- 
6771  talB 
in  Vit. 


Erem,  lib,  2.  cap.  15.  It  would  greatly  contri- 
bute to  our  devotion  to  recite  the  Office  before  a 
crucifix  and  a  figure  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  that, 
casting  a  look  now  and  then  upon  them,  we  may 
be  enabled  to  renew  our  intentions  and  devout  * 
affections. 

Endeavor,  therefore,  while  you  recite  the 
Psalms,  if  you  would  derive  great  advantage 
from  them,  to  renew  from  time  to  time  your 
attention  and  devout  affections :  JVe  quod  tepes- 
cere  ccBperat,  says  St.  Augustine,  omnino  friges- 
cat,  et  penitus  extinguatur,  nisi  crebrius  inflam- 
metur,  Ep,  130.  ad  Probam,  c.  9.  Attention 
during  the  recital  of  the  Divine  Office  is  of 
three  kinds  ;  and  I  speak  here  of  internal  atten- 
tion ;  because  as  regards  external  attention  it 
is  quite  necessary  that  we  should  abstain  from 
every  thing  incompatible  with  internal'  attention, 
as  writing,  conversation  with  others,  or  listening 
to  others  speaking,  and  such  like  things,  which 
require  considerable  application  of  mind.  And 
it  will  be  well  here  to  note,  what  the  learned 
remark,  that  such  as  recite  their  Office  in  the 
squares,  streets,  and  other  such  places  where  they 
are  much  exposed  to  distractions,  are  in  great 
danger  of  not  satisfying  their  obligation.  But 
to  return  to  internal  attention — it  regards  the 
words,  the  sense,  and  God,  as  divines  in  general 
12 


138 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OmCE. 


'Ai,'. 

VM 

>: 


nl 


teach,  with  St.  Thomas,  who  says  :  Triplex  est 
attentio,  qu<2  orationi  vocali  potest  adhiheri :  una 
quidem,  qua  attenditur  ad  verba,  ne  aliquis  in 
eis  erret :  secunda,  qua  attenditur  ad  sensum  ver- 
"'  borum:  tertia  qua  attenditur  adjinem  orationis, 
scilicet  ad  Deum,  et  ad  rem  pro  qua  oratur,  2.  2. 
q,  83.  art,  3. 

The  first  kind  of  attention  is  to  the  words, 
by  which  a  person  is  careful  in  pronouncing 
them  entirely  and  distinctly.  The  second  is  to 
the  sense,  by  attending  to  the  signification  of  the 
words,  in  order  that  the  heart  may  accompany 
them  with  appropriate  affections.  The  third  and 
the  best,  is  to  God,  by  directing  the  mind  to  him 
during  prayer,  by  adoring  him,  by  thanking  or 
loving  him,  or  by  imploring  his  graces.  The 
first  kind  of  attention,  whenever  there  has  been 
from  the  commencement  an  intention  of  praying, 
is  sufficient  to  satisfy  the  obligation,  the  Church 
requiring  no  more,  as  St.  Thomas  teaches  in 
another  place :  Prima  est  attentio  ad  verba, 
quibus  petimus :  deinde  ad  petitionem  ipsam :  et 
qacBCUmque  earum  attentionum  adsit,  non  est  re- 
putanda  inattenta  oratio.  In  4,  dist.  15,  qu.  1, 
Salut,  5.  But  he  who  says  the  Office  with 
this  kind  of  attention  only,  without  either  of 
the  otbar  two,  will  never  say  it  with  devotion, 
nar  without  many  defects,  nor  with  much  fruit. 


I 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


139 


And  what  benefit  can  a  Priest  expect  to  derive 
from  his  OflBce,  if  he  says  it  merely  with  his 
lips,  endeavoring  all  the  time  to  dispatch  it  as 
quickly  as  possible,  in  order  to  free  himself  of  a 
burden  pressing  heavily  upon  his  shoulders?  or 
as  though  he  were  swallowing  a  nauseous  medi- 
cine ?  What  benefit  can  he  expect,  if,  worse  than 
this,  while  he  is  reciting  his  Office,  he  allows  his 
mind  to  be  dissipated,  now  looking  about  him 
at  distracting  objects,  and  now,  sometimes  even 
intermixing  with  what  he  is  repeating  irrelevant 
words  and  phrases?  St.  Bonaventure  {Spec, 
Disc,  part  1,  c,  16.)  relates,  that,  in  Paris  a 
good  Priest  being  asked  a  questicm  by  a  ccrtaija 
Prelate  on  some  afi*air  while  he  was  saying  his 
Office,  replied :  that  he  was  speaking  with  a 
person  of  higher  dignity,  and  that  therefore  he 
.could  not  attend  to  the  question,  and  bowing 
his  head  continued  his  Office.  On  the  other 
hand,  the  ?s.me  saint  relates  of  another  eccle- 
siastic, that  he  was  condemned  to  very  severe 
punishments  in  purgatory  on  account  of  the 
many  interruptions  which  he  had  allowed  of  in 
his  Office.  ■'  ' 

It  is  not,  however,  meant  that  we  should 
disquiet  or  afflict  ourselves  on  account  of  the 
involuntary  distractions  which  molest  us  in  our 
Office.     So  long  as  they  are  not  voluntary,  they 


140 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


;i 


-!. 


are  not  sinful.  Our  Lord  has  compassion  on 
our  infirmity,  through  which  distracting  thoughts 
come  into  our  minds  without  our  seeking  them, 
and  hence  will  not  hinder  the  fruit  of  the  prayers 
which  we  recite.  In  spiritu  et  in  veritate  orat, 
5'ys  St.  Thomas,  qui  ex  instinctu  Spiritus  ad 
orandum  accedit,  etiamsi  ex  infirmitate  aliqua 
mens  postmodum  evagetur.  2,  2,  q.  83,  o.  4,  ad.  1. 
And  he  adds,  that  it  happens  even  to  souls  who 
are  raised  to  the  exercise  of  contemplation,  that 
they  cannot  remain  long  in  the  exercise  of  this 
high  gift,  without  being  pressed  down  by  the 
weight  of  human  misery  interrupting  them  with 
involuntary  distraction :  Mens  humana  diu  stare 
in  alto  non  potest;  pondere  enim  infirmitatis 
humanoB  deprimitur  ad  inferiora,  Et  ideo  con- 
tigit,  quod  cum  mens  orantis  ascendit  in  Deum 
per  contemplaiionem,  subito  evagetur.  Loco  cit, 
ad.  2. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  holy  doctor  says,  that 
he  who  is  voluntarily  and  purposely  distracted 
in  prayer,  cannot  derive  any  benefit  from  it,  nor 
be  excused  from  sin :  Si  quis  ex  proposito  in 
oratione  mente  evagatur,  hoc  peccatum  est,  et  im- 
pedit  orationis  fructum.  Ibid,  ad,  3.  Hy  pur- 
posely is  meant,  as  the  learned  in  general  say, 
when  a  person  perceiving  hie  distractions,  wil- 
fully entertains  them.    Against  such  St.  Cyprian 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


141 


exclaims,  that  it  is  an  insupportable  irreverence 
in  the  eyes  of  God,  for  a  person  Tivhile  he  is  pray- 
ing to  him  to  think  of  other  things  as  though  of 
more  importance  than  his  speaking  with  God  in 
order  to  implore  his  divine  graces  :  Qucr  segnitia 
est  alienarif  cum  Domninum  pretaris,  quasi  sit 
aliud  quod  debeas  magis  cogitare^  quam  cum  Deo 
loquaris?  S,  Cypr.  de  Orat,  Dom.  Hence  St. 
Bernard  says :  Voluntas  neglecta  facit  cogita- 
tiones  indignas  Deo;  pia  efficaces  ad  fructum 
spiritus.  As  our  will  renders  our  thoughts  effi- 
cacious in  obtaining  the  fruits  of  the  spirit,  so 
our  will,  if  neglected,  renders  them  unworthy  of 
God,  and  thus  deserving  chastisements  instead 
of  favors. 

St.  Bernard  had  a  celebrated  vision  on  this 
subject,  which  is  related  in  the  chronicles  of  the 
Cistercians.  As  he  was  one  night  chanting  the 
Office  in  choir  with  his  monks,  he  saw  an  angel 
writing  at  the  side  of  each  of  them.  Some  of 
the  angels  were -writing  with  gold,  others  with 
silver,  others  with  ink,  others  with  water,  and 
others  stood  with  their  pens  in  their  hands  with- 
out writing  any  thing.  Our  Lord  made  known 
to  the  saint  that  the  gold  signified  the  fervor  of 
charity  with  which  their  prayers  were  recited ; 
the  silver,  devotion,  but  less  fervor ;  the  ink,  dili- 
gence in  pronouncing  all  the  words,  but  without 
12* 


Pf 

Wf 

1 

r 

! 

f, . 

1 
■  ( 

M 


142 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


devotion;  the  water,  negligence,  and  but  little 
attention  to  what  was  said ;  and  that  the  angels 
who  wrote  nothing  signified,  that  those  who  were 
voluntarily  distracted  were  guilty  of  great  irre- 
verence to  God.  On  the  contrary,  St.  Robert, 
Abbot,  being  also  in  choir,  had  a  diiferent  vision. 
He  saw  the  devil  going  round,  and  finding  one 
drowsy,  laughed  at  him  ;  and  another  distracted, 
was  greatly  delighted,  and  showed  that  he  was 
very  much  pleased  with  him. 

When  then,  0  Priest  of  God,  you  take  in 
hand  your  Breviary,  figure  to  yourself  an  angel 
on  one  side  noting  down  your  merits  in  the  book 
of  life,  if  you  say  the  Ofiice  with  devotion  ;  and 
on  the  other  side  the  devil  writing  down  your 
faults  in  the  book  of  death,  if  you  say  it  with 
wilful  distractions.  By  such  thoughts  endeavor 
to  excite  yourself  to  recite  it  with  all  the  devo- 
tion in  your  power.  For  this  end  not  only  begin 
the  Ofl&ce  with  attention,  but  renew  your  atten- 
tion at  the  commencement  of  every  psalm,  that 
you  may  be  able  to  accompany  in  heart  all  the 
sentiments  which  you  utter.  Cum  oratis  Deunij 
writes  Cassian,  hoc  versetur  in  corde,  quod  pro- 
fertur  in  ore.  Collat.  25.  cap.  7.  Hence  St.  Au- 
gustin  says :  Si  Psalmus  orat,  orate :  si  gemit, 
gemite  :  sisperat,  sperate.  in  Ps.  80.  St.  Thomas 
observes,  that  words  pronounced  devoutly  with 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


143 


the  lips  excite  devotion  in  the  mind :  Verba  sig' 
nificantia  aliqiiid  ad  devotionem  pertinensn  exci- 
tant mentes,  2.  2.  q,  83.  art,  12.  ad,  2.  And  on 
this  account  he  says  our  Lord  has  taught  us  to 
pray  with  the  voice,  that  thereby  in  reciting  our 
prayers  we  may  apply  the  mind  to  suing  for  what 
we  ask.  And  this  is  what  we  read  in  the  cele- 
brated Canon  of  the  Fifth  Council  of  Latcran, 
beginning  with  Dolentes,  namely,  that  the  Office 
be  recited  Studiose  et  devote,  quantum  Deus 
dederit :  Studiote,  by  pronouncing  all  the  words : 
Devote,  by  exercising  the  heart  in  the  sentiments 
which  are  uttered.  We  should  be  thoroughly 
persuad(»d  of  what  St.  Augustine  says,  that  the 
graces  which  we  desire  and  beseech  for  ourselves 
and  for  others,  are  obtained  more  by  the  effu- 
sions of  the  heart  than  by  the  sounds  of  the  voice. 
Hoc  negotium  plus  gemitibus,  quam  sermonibus 
agitur,   S,  Aug,  ad  Probam,  Ep,  122.  c.  10. 

Cassian  relates  that  the  monks  of  Egypt  held 
that  it  was  better  to  sing  ten  verses  deliberately 
and  devoutly,  than  an  entire  psalm  with  dis- 
traction of  mind :  Utilius  habent  decern  versus 
cum  rationabili  assignatione  cantari,  quam  totum 
Psalmum  cum  confusione  mentis  effundi,  Cass, 
Instit.  lib,  2.  cap,  11.  Oh  how  many  lights  and 
graces  are  received  through  the  psalms  when  re- 
cited with  deliberation  and  reflection  !    St.  Epi- 


144 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


' 


1; 

'  '1 

I' 


I 


pbanius  says :  Psalmus  menies  illuminate  in  ccelum 
reducit^  homines  famiiiores  Deo  reddity  animam 
latificat,  S.  Epiph.  tom,  1.  pag,  54.  The  Psalms 
enlighten  the  mind,  rejoice  the  soul,  direct  it  to 
heaven,  and  render  it  familiar  with  God. 

It  is  true  that  many  pi^ssages  of  the  psalms 
are  obscure  and  difl&cult  to  be  understood  with- 
out explanation  ;  but  there  are  many  others  easy 
and  clear,  which  serve  to  reanimate  our  faith, 
our  confidence  in  God,  our  love  for  him,  and 
our  good  desires.  They  reanimate  our  faith,  by 
placing  before  our  eyes  the  eternal  truths  of  the 
existence  of  God,  of  the  creation  of  the  world, 
of  the  last  things,  and  of  the  immortality  of  the 
soul.  How  especially  do  they  invigorate  our 
faith  by  the  many  prophecies  which  they  contain 
of  the  great  work  of  our  Redemption,  delivered 
so  many  ages  before  the  event  took  place  I  Holy 
David  predicted  in  many  places  the  coming  of 
our  Redeemer :  Redemisti  me,  Domine  Deus  veri- 
talis,  Ps.  XXX.  Redemptionem  misit  populo  suo. 
Ps,  ex.  Copiosa  apud  eum  redemptio.  Ps.  cxxix. 
He  predicted  in  particular  many  things  regard- 
ing the  passion.  He  predicted  the  council  of 
the  chief  Priests  and  elders,  when  they  would 
assemble  to  bring  about  the  death  of  Jesus 
Christ.  Principes  convenerunt  in  unum  adversus 
Dominum  et  adversus  Christum  ejus.  Ps.  11.  He 


ON  TEE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


145 


ccelum 
nimam 

)t  it  to 

psalms 

1  with- 

rs  easy 

faith, 

iiy  and 

ith,  by 

of  the 

world, 

of  the 

te   our 

contain 

livered 

Holy 

ling  of 

IS  veri- 

lo  sua. 

cxxix. 

egard- 

icil  of 

would 

Jesus 

t  versus 

1.  He 


predicted  the  crucifixion  :  Foderunt  munus  mens 
et  pedes  meos :  dinumernverunt  omnia  ossa  men* 
Ps,  xxi.  He  foretold  how  the  executioners 
would  divide  his  garments,  and  for  his  inner 
garment  cast  lots :  Diviserunt  sibi  vestimenta 
mea,  et  super  vestem  menm  naserunt  sort*tm,  Eod, 
Ps.  xxi.  He  predicted  the  thirst  of  Jesus  Christ, 
and  the  gall  mixed  with  vinegar  which  they 
would  give  him  to  drink  upon  the  cross.  Et  de- 
derunt  in  escam  meam  fel :  et  in  siti  mea  potave- 
runt  me  aceto,  Ps.  Ixviii.  He  predicted  also 
the  conversion  of  the  Gentiles  :  Convertentur  ad 
Dominum  universi  fines  terrce,  et  adorobu7it  in 
compectu  ejus  universce  famiiicB  gentium.  Ps, 
xxi. 

How  many  beautiful  sentiments  of  confidence 
in  God  do  the  Psalms  contain !  In  te  Domine^ 
speravif  non  confundar  in  ceternum.  Ps.  xxx. 
In  manus  tuas  commendo  spiritum  meum.  Ibid, 
Quoniam  in  me  speravit,  liber abo  eum,  Ps.  xc. 
Laudans  invocnbo  Dominum,  et  ab  inimicis  meis 
salvus  ero.  Ps.  xvii.  Protector  est  omnium 
sperantium  in  se.  lb,  Dominus  firmamentum 
meum  et  refugium  meum  et  liberator  meus.  lb. 
Vivet  anima  mea  et  laudabit  te.  Ps.  cxviii. 
Misericordias  Domini  in  ceternum  cant  abo.  Ps» 
Ixxxviii.  Spiritus  tuus  bonus  deducet  me  in  ter^ 
ram   rectam.    Ps.    cxlii.      Dominus  illuminatio 


146 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


mea  et  salun  mea ;  quein  timebo  ?  Ps,  xxvi. 
Sperantem  autem  in  Domino  misericordia  cir- 
cumdabit,  Ps,  xxxi.  Fiat  misericordia  tua,  Do- 
mine,  super  nos  quemadmodum  speravimus  in  te. 
Ps.  xxxii. 

How  maDj  acts  of  love !   Diligam  te,  Domine, 
fortituao  mea,  Ps,  xvii.    Quid  mihi  est  in  ccelo  ? 
Et  a  te  quid  volui  super  teirram  ?    Deus  cordis 
met  et  pars  mea  in  ceternum,    Ps,  Ixxii.     Sitivit 
in  te  anima  mea,  quam  multipliciter  tibi  caro 
mea  ?   Ps.  Ixii.     Satiabor,  cum  apparuerit  gloria 
tua,   Ps,  XV.     Confiteantur  tibi  populi,  Deus, 
confiteantur  tibi  populi  omnes.  Ps,  Ixvi.     Mag- 
nijicate  Dominum  mecum,  et  exaltemus  nomen 
ejus  in  idipsum,  Ps,  xxxiii.     Memorfui  Dei,  et 
delectatus  sum.  Ps,  Ixxvi.     Paratum  cor  meum, 
Deus,  paratum  cor  meum,  Ps,  Ivi.     Quemadmo- 
dum desiderat  cervus  ad  fontes  aquarum,  ita  de~ 
siderat  anima  mea  ad  te  Deus,  Ps.  xli.     Quando 
veniam,  et  apparebo  ante  faciem  Dei  ?   Ibid, 

How  many  acts  of  thanksgiving!  Quid  re- 
tribuam  Domino  pro  omnibus,  qum  retribuit  mihi  ? 
Ps,  cxv.  Venite,  audite,  et  narrabo,  omnes  qui 
timetis  Deum,  quanta  fecit  anima  me<B,  Ps.  Ixv. 
How  many  acts  of  humility  !  JSTisi  quia  Domi- 
nus  adjuvit  Tne,  paulominus  habitasset  in  inferno 
anima  mea,  Ps,  Ixxxiii.  Eruisti  animam  meam 
,  ex  inferno  infer iori.   Ibid,     Et  non  intres  in 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


147 


XXVI. 

I   cir- 
I,  Do- 
in  te. 

omine, 

,  cado  ? 
cordis 

Sitivit 

bi  caro 

f  gloria 
Deusy 
Mag- 
nomen 
Dei,  et 
meuMy 

madmo- 
ita  de- 

Quando 

id, 

\uid  re- 
it  mihi  ? 
nes  qui 
s,  Ixv. 
Domi' 
inferno 
meam 
itres  in 


judicium  cum  servo  tuo^  quia  non  justijicabitur 
in  conspectu  tuo,  omnis  vivens,  Ps,  cxlii.  Ego 
autem  sum  vermis,  et  non  homo,  opprobrium  ho- 
minum,  et  abjectio  plebis,  Ps.  xxi.  Erravi  sicut 
ovis  qu(B  periit,  quare  servum  tuum.  Ps,  cxviii. 
How  many  acts  of  contrition  !  Iniquitatem  odio 
kabui,  et  abominatus  sum.  Ps,  exviii.  Exitus 
aquarum  deduxerunt  oculi  met,  quia  non  custo- 
dierunt  legem  tuam.  lb,  Fuerunt  mihi  lacryma 
mem  panes  die  ac  nocte^  dum  dicitur  mihi  quo- 
tidie  uhi  est  Deus  tuus  ?  Ps,  xli.  How  many 
good  purposes !  Et  custodiam  legem  tuam  sem- 
per, Ps,  cxviii.  In  aternum  non  obliviscar  juS" 
tijicationes  tuas.  Ibid,  Juravi  it  statui  custodire 
judicia  justitice  tuce.  Ibid,  Ab  omni  via  mala 
prohibui  pedes  meos,  ut  custodiam  verba  tua.  Ibid, 
Legem  tuam  in  medio  cordis  met,  Ps,  xxxiz. 
Docebo  iniquos  vias  tuas,  Ps,  1. 

Again  how  do  the  Psalms  abound  in  holy 
thoughts!  In  the  fiftieth  Psalm  alone  how 
many  beautiful  prayers !  Miserere  met  Deus, 
secundum  magnam  misericordiam  tuam,  Jlverte 
faciem  tuam  a  peccatis  meis.  Car  mundum  crea 
in  me  Deus,  JVe  projicias  me  a  facie  tua,  Spi- 
ritu  principali  confirma  me.  How  many  other 
prayers,  in  the  118th  Psalm,  which  is  recited 
every  morning  in  the  little  Hours !  Doce  me 
justijicationes  tuas,     Revela  oculos  meos,     Viam 


■  'm 


f."ii 


Vf.-] 


148 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


iniquitatis  amove  a  me.  Averte  oculos  meos,  ne 
videant  vanitatem.  Da  mihi  intellectum,  ut  dis- 
cam  Tiiandata  tua.  Fiat  misericordia  iua,  ut 
consoletur  me,  J^on  confundas  me  ab  expeda' 
tione  mea.  Adjuva  wie,  et  salvus  ero.  Suscipe 
servum  tuum  in  bonum.  Aspice  in  me^  et  mise- 
rere mei,  Intellectum  da  mihi,  et  vivam,.  Gressus 
meos  dirige  secundum  eloquium  tuum,  Clamavi 
ad  te ;  salvum  me  fac,  ut  costodiam  mandata 
tua.  Vide  humilifatem  meam,  et  eripe  me.  In- 
tret  postulatio  m^a  in  conspectu  tuo.  Thus  sum 
ego  J  salvum  me  fac.  Fiat  manus  tua,  ut  salvet 
me,  Doce  me  Jacere  voluntatem  tuam,  Ps,  xlii. 
As  regards  other  passages  which  are  obscure,  I 
do  not  say  that  there  is  an  obligation  of  studying 
interpreters  J  but  at  the  same  time  I  say  that 
such  a  study  would  be  certainly  one  of  the  best 
and  most  useful  to  which  a  Priest  could  apply 
himself,  is  the  Council  of  Milan  advises  .  Inter- 
pretationem  studio  adsequaiur,  nnde  mens  ani- 
musque  ad  ali quern  salutarem  ajjectum  incenda- 
tur,  Syn,  MedioL  V,  part  3.  For  this  purpose 
it  would  be  well  to  read  Cardinal  Bellarmine  on 
the  Psalms. 

The  petitions  most  pleasing  to  God  are  those 
which  are  contained  in  the  Pater  noster,  which 
is  the  most  excellent  of  all  prayers,  taught  us 
from  the  mouth  of  Jesus  Christ  himself;  and 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


149 


s,  ne 
I  dis~ 
a,  ut 
peda- 
uscipe 
mise^ 
ressus 
amavi 
indata 
.    In- 
IS  sum 
salvet 
's.  xlii. 
cure,  I 
udying 
ly  that 
le  best 

1  apply 

Inter- 

IS  anU 

%cenda' 

urpose 

line  on 

\q  those 

I,  which 

ight  us 

aixd 


therefore  does  the  Church  require  us  to  repeat  it 
so  often  in  the  Divine  Office.     How  especially 
beautiful  are  the  three  first  petitions  !  three  most 
perfect  acts  of  love  !    SancHJicetur  nomen  tuum : 
Mveniat  regnum  tuum :  Fiat  voluntas  tua  sicut 
in  ccelo  et  in  terra !     In  the  first,  Sandificetur 
nomen  tuum,  we  beg  that  God  would  make  him- 
self known  and  loved  by  all  mankind.     In  the 
second,  Mveniat  regnum.  tuum,  we  beg  of  him 
to  take  entire  possession  of  our  hearts,  that  he 
may  reign  in  them  by  his  grace  in  this  life,  and 
by  his  glory  in  the  next.     In  the  third,  Fiat 
vol-.'ir>.:'  tua,  etc,  we  ask  of  him  the  gift  of  per- 
fect ouaformity ;  so  that  we  may  do  his  will  on 
earth  as  the  blessed  do  in  heaven.     In  repeating 
so  frequently  the  Gloria  Patri,  how  many  devout 
acts  of  faith  may  we  make,  of  praise,  of  thanks- 
giving, of  delight  in  the  happiness  and  perfec- 
tions of  God  !     St.  Mary  Magdalene  of  Pazzi, 
whenever  she  repeated  the  Gloria  Patri,   bow- 
ing her  head  imagined  to  herself  that  she  was 
offering  it  to  the  executioner  in  honor  of  the 
Faith.     Moreover,  the  Church  requires  us  at  the 
beginning  of  all  the  Hours  of  the  Office  to  salute 
and  have  recourse  to  Mary  the  Mother  of  God  ; 
by  means  of  whom  we  may  obtain  so  many  graces, 
she  being  the  treasurer  and  dispenser  of  all  the 
divine  graces. 
13 


%!: 


♦ 


I:.''!-' 


150 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


Let  US  conclude.  Many  Priests  think  and 
speak  of  the  obligation  of  saying  Office  as  of  a 
great  burden ;  and  I  say,  that  those  who  say  it 
negligently  without  devotion,  and  endeavor  to 
get  through  it  as  quickly  as  possible,  have  great 
reason  so  to  speak  of  it  j  because  they  have  to 
labor,  for  at  least  an  hour,  to  recite  it,  and  that 
without  any  relish,  but  with  much  irksomeness. 
But  to  those  who  say  it  with  devotion,  entering 
with  their  minds  into  the  many  devout  seiitiments 
which  are  expressed  in  it,  and  accompanying 
with  their  hearts  the  holy  affections  which  it 
pours  forth  to  God,  the  Office  is  not  a  load,  but 
a  relief  and  delight  to  the  soul,  as  all  good 
Priests  find  it :  and  if  it  must  ever  be  called  a 
load,  it  is  a  winged  load,  which  elevates  us  and 
unites  us  with  God. 


'    I'': 


\f' 


I 


if¥ 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


151 


Directio  ilntentioms  ante  lllissam. 

Gregorius  XIII.     Pontifex  Maximns  concessit 

cuilibet  sacerdoti  dicenti  seqventem  Oratio- 

nem  50  annorum  Indulgentiam, 

Ego  volo  Missam  celebrare,  et  conficcre  Cor- 
pus et  Sanguinem  Domini  nostri  Jesu  Cliristi, 
juxta  ritum  Sanctae  Romanae  Ecclesiae,  ad  laudem 
omnipotentis  Dei,  totiusque  CurisE)  triumphantis, 
ad  utilitatem  meam,  totiusque  Curiae  militantis, 
pro  omnibus  qui  se  commendaverunt  orationibus 
meis  in  genere  et  in  specie  et  pro  felici  statu 
Sanctce  Romance  Ecclesiae.     Amen. 

Graudium  cum  pace,  emendationem  vitae,  spa- 
tium  verse  poenitentiae,  gratiam  et  consolationem 
Sancti  Spiritus,  perseverantiam  in  bonis  operibus, 
cor  contritum  et  humiliatum,  atque  felicem  vitae 
meae  consummationem,  tribuat  mihi  omnipotens 
et  misericors  Dominus.     Amen. 


Jestt0,  iWaria,  loscpl). 

,  Forma  intentionis  ad  Missam  celehrandam. 

Ad  laudem  et  gloriam  Sanctissiraae  Trinitatis, 
in  memoriara  benedicti  Salvatoris  nostri  Jesu 
Christi,  Vitae,  Passionis,  Mortis  et  Resurrectionis ;. 


i 


K 


ji 


I  I 


[^ 


152 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


ac    in    operuui,    et    meritorum    suorum,    onmi- 
umque  Sanctorum  unionem ;  ad  laudem  quoque 
et  exultationem  Beatissimap  semper  Virginis  ejus 
Matris   Marise,   Coelestium   Angelorum,  Sancto- 
rum, atque  Sanctarum   et   signanter   N.  N.   et 
aliorum  Devotorum   meorum,  offero    etiam  cum 
ipsorum  Beatorum  Spirituum  laudibus,  Sancto- 
rum omnium  precibua  et  meritis  nunc  et  semper 
hoc  et  alia  Sacrif^.cia,  Officia,  Orationes  et  bona 
opera  totius  mundi,  pro  meis  praesentibus,  et  fu- 
turis  animge  et  corporis  necessitatibus  ;  in  auxili- 
um   et   consolationem   meam  et  in   remissionem 
omnium  peccatorum  meorum,  quorum  verum  con- 
tritionem  semper  habeo  et  habere  intendo,  conor 
et   cupio,   omniumque   vivorum  et  defunctorum 
meorum,   parentum,   fratrum,   sororum,*  consan- 
guineorum,  amicorum,  inimicorum,  benefactorum, 
in    spiritualibus    et    temporalibus,    superiorum, 
subditorum,   ac  illorum,   quibus   fui   gravamen, 
scandalum  et  occasio  peccandi ;  pro  omni  gradu 
Sanctae   Catholicae  Ecclesiae,  ac  illius  conserva- 
tione,  augmento,  et  exaltatione  :    Christianorum 
Principum  unione  et  concordia,  haeresum  extir- 
patione,   Summi  Pontificis   salute   et   animarum 
in  purgatorio  existentium  liberatione ;    pro  con- 
servatione   et   augmento    omnium   observantium 
Religionum,  pro  conversione  omnium  Infidelium 
natioimm,  pro  mihi  commissis  et   commendatis. 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


.     153 


Denique  pro  illis  omnibus  vivis  atque  defunctis, 
pro  quibus  Dominus  noster  Jesus  Christus  et 
ejus  Beatissima  Mater  et  Virgo  Maria  sciunt  et 
volunt  me  debere  orare,  obsecrare,  consecrare  et 
sacrificare  intendo  et  propono,  ac  juxta  inten- 
tionem  Sanctse  Catholicje  Ecclesiae  et  meorum 
superiorum  pro  debito  voluntatem. 

Ego  N.  Minister,  licet  indignus ;  In  nomine 
Patris  et  Filii  et  Spiritus  Sancti,  Amen ;  cum 
intentione  lucrandi,  et  acquirendi  omnes  quas- 
cumque  possum  Indulgentias. 


PRETIUNCULA 

Sacerdotibus  quotidie  legendc     *  in  dies 
Deo  ferveniius  deserviuiu. 

Ex  Thom.  a  Kempis,  De  Imitatione  Christi. 

Adjuva  nos  gratia  tua,  omnipotens  Deus,  ut 
qui  officium  Sacerdotale  suscepimus,  digne  ac 
devote  tibi  omni  puritate  et  in  conscientia  bona 
famulari  valeamus. 

Et  si  non  possumus  in  tanta  innocentia  vita3 
conversari  ut  debemus,  concede  nobis  tamen, 
digne  flere  mala,  quae  gessimus,  ut  in  spiritu 
humilitatis  ac  bonae  voluntatis  proposito  tibi  fer- 
veutius  deservire  valeaAus.  -      r 

13* 


>i  w. 


'I '  " 


.r> 


I 


I'h*'   ' ;;  i 


5-  ■  ,     ' 


154 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


•^lia  post  Missam  ad  Bentissimam  Virginem 
Mariam  precatio, 

0  Serenissima  et  inclyta  Virgo  Maria,  Mater 
Domini  nostri  Jesu  Christi,  Regina  coeli  et  terraD, 
quae  eundem  Creatorem  omDium  creaturarum  in 
tuo  sancto  utero  digna  fuisti  portare  ;  cujus  idem 
veracissimum  Corpus  et  Sanguinem  ego  indignus 
sumere  praesumpsi :  rogo  te  per  virginalem  humi- 
litatem  tuara  et  per  passionera  et  mortem  ejus- 
dem  Filii  tui,  ut  apud  ipsum  pro  me  misero  pec- 
catore  intercedere  digneris :  ut  quidquid  in  hoc 
sacrosancto  Sacrificio  irreverenter,  ignoranter, 
negligenter,'vel  incaute  commisi,  aut  etiam  omisi, 
tuis  sanctissimis  precibus  mihi  dignetur  indul- 
gere.     Amen. 

M  vulnera  Christi  oratio, 

Rogo  te,  Domine  Jesu,  per  ilia  salutifera 
vulnera  tua,  quae  passus  es  in  cruce  pro  salute 
nostra,  ex  quibus  emanavit  ille  pretiosus  Sanguis, 
quo  sumus  redempti,  vulnera  banc  animam  meam 
peccatricem,  pro  qua  etiam  mori  dignatus  es  5 
vulnera  eam  igneo  et  potentissimo  telo  tuae 
nimias  cbaritatis.  Confige  cor  meum  jaculo  tui 
amoris,  ut  dicat  tibi  anima  mea :  Charitate  tua 
vulnerata  sum  :  ita  ut  ex  ipso  vulnere  amoris  tui 
uberrimae   fluant  lacrymse   die  ac  nocte.     Per- 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


155 


cute,  Domine,  percute,  obsecro,  banc  durissimam 
mentem  meam  pia  et  valida  cuspide  dilectionis 
tuas,  et  altius  ad  intima  penetra  potent!  virtute. 
Qui  vivis  et  regnas  cum  Deo  Patre  in  unitate 
Spiritus  Sancti  Deus,  per  omnia  saecula  sseculo- 
rum.     Amen. 

Salutationes  ad   omnia  membra  Christi  et  sui 
ipsius  ad  eum  commendatio. 

Salve  tremendum  cunctis  potestatibus  caput 
Domini  nostri  Jesu  Christi  Salvatoris  nostri, 
pro  nobis  coronatum  et  arundine  percussum. 
Salve,  pretioricsoima  Salvatoris  nostri  Jesu  Christi 
facies,  pro  nobis  sputis  et  alapis  caesa.  Sal- 
vete  benignissimi  Domini  Jesu  Christi  Salvatoris 
nostri  oculi,  pro  nobis  lacrymis  perfusi.  Salve, 
mellifluum  os,  gutterque  suavissimum  Domini 
nostri  Jesu  Christi,  pro  nobis  felle  et  aceto 
potatum.  Salvete,  aures  nobilissimae  Domini 
Jesu  Christi  Salvatoris  nostri,  pro  nobis  con- 
tumeliis  et  opprobriis  aflfectae.  Salve,  collum 
humile  Jesu  Christi,  pro  nobis  colaphizatum, 
dorsumque  sanctissimum  pro  nobis  flagellatum. 
Salvete,  venerabiles  Domini  nostri  Jesu  Christi 
manus  et  brachia,  pro  nobis  in  cruce  extensa. 
Salve,  pectus  mitissimum  Domini  nostri  Jesu 
Christi  Salvatoris  nostri,  pro  nobis  in  passione 
conturbatum.     Salve,   latus    gloriosum    Domini 


f'l^, 


'lv-:i 


ii 


1        , 


156 


ON  THE  DIVINE  OFFICE. 


nostri  Jesu  Christi,  pro  nobis  lancea  militis  per- 
foratum. Salvete,  Domini  Jesu  Christi  Salvatoris 
nostri  sacra  misericordiae  genua,  pro  nobis  in 
orationibus  flexa.  Salvete,  Domini  Jesu  Christi 
Salvatoris  nostri  pedes  adorandi,  pro  nobis  clavis 
affixi.  Salve,  totum  corpus,  Jesu  Christi,  pro 
nobis  in  cruce  suspensum,  vulneratum,  mortuum 
ot  sepultum.  Salve,  Sanguis  pretiosissime,  de 
corpore  Jesu  Christi  Salvatoris  nostri  pro  nobis 
effusus.  Salve,  sanctissima  Domini  nostri  Jesu 
Christi  anima,  in  cruce  pro  nobis  in  manus 
Patris  commendata.  In  eadem  commendatione 
tibi  commendo  hodie  et  quotidie  animam  meam, 
vitam  meam,  cor  et  corpus  meum,  omnes  sensus 
et  actus  meos,  omnes  amicos,  benefactores  et 
consanguineos  meos,  animas  parentum,  fratrum, 
sororum,  et  omnium  amicorum,  ac  inimicorum 
meorum  :  ut  nos  protegere,  liberare  et  defenders 
digneris  ab  omnibus  insidiis  inimicorum  nostro- 
rum  visibilium  et  invisibilium,  nunc  et  in  per- 
petuum.     Amen. 


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f 


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■v./  ,' 


■1^ 


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I         I 


MEDITATIONS. 


157 


fllebitationa 


ON  THE  PASSION  OF  OUR  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST,  BY 
WAY  OF  PREPARATION  FOR  MASS,  FOR  EVERY 
DAY  IN  THE  WEEK. 


MEDITATION  I. 


SUNDAY. 


Jesus  goes  to  meet  his  Enemies,  is  bound  and 

apprehended, 

Jesus  rising  from  the  ground  in  the  garden 
of  Gethsemani,  knowing  that  Judas  and  the 
soldiers  were  already  at  hand,  to  apprehend 
him  and  put  him  to  death,  waited  not  till 
they  arrived,  but  went  of  himself  to  meet 
them,  and  to  deliver  himself  into  their  hands. 
Although  our  loving  Redeemer  was  still  be- 
dewed with  the  bloody  sweat  of  the  agony 
which  he  had  suffered  in  the  garden,  yet  did 
his  heart  glow  with  love  and  desire  to  suffer 
for  us ;  and  hence,  awaking  his  sleeping  dis- 
ciples, he  said:  Surgite,  eamus;  ecce  qui  me 
tr&det  prope  est.   Marc,  xiv.  32. 

Was  then,  0  my  Saviour,  thy  desire  to  suffer 
for  us  so  vehement,  that  thou  must  of  thyself 
go  to  meet  death  ?    Ah,  my  Jesus  I  behold  I  am 


158 


MEDITATIONS. 


:.), . . 


:;- 


r 

V  J  ■ 


now  about  to  approach  the  altar  to  renew  tho 
same  sacrifice  of  the  cross  which  thou  didst 
consummate  upon  Mount  Calvary.  IIow  do  I 
lament  that  I  should  ever  have  displeased  thee, 
who  hast  so  loved  me  as  to  appoint  me  to  be  one 
of  thy  Priests!  Hitherto  I  have  forsaken  thee, 
but  now  I  desire  only  to  be  united  with  thee. 
Pardon  me,  I  beseech  thee,  before  thou  enterest, 
this  morning,  into  my  breast ;  forgive  me  all  tho 
anguish  which  I  have  ever  occasioned  thee,  for 
I  detest  all  sin  above  every  other  evil.  Never 
permit  me,  my  beloved  Redeemer,  ygain  to  dis- 
please thee.  I  love  thee,  0  Jesus,  dead  upon 
the  cross  for  my  sake;  I  love  thee,  my  God, 
infinitely  worthy  of  love ;  1  love  thee,  my  only 
good,  and  renounce  every  thing  for  thy  love. 
Deus  mens  et  omnia.  Thou  alone  art  sufficient 
for  me. 

I  offer  thee,  0  Eternal  Father,  this  sacrifice, 
in  thanksgiving  for  all  thy  gifts  bestowed  on 
Jesus  as  man,  on  the  Blessed  Virgin,  and  on  all 
thy  saints  my  advocates.  I  recommend  to  thee 
the  Sovereign  Pontiff,  my  relations,  benefactors, 
friends,  and  enemies.  I  likewise  recommend  to 
thee  all  infidels,  heretics,  and  all  sinners  who 
are  living  in  thy  displeasure ;  give  them  light 
and  strength  to  arise  from  their  miserable  state ; 
and  since,  as  I  hope,  thou  hast  restor.ed  me  to 


Is-    V 


MEDITATIONS. 


169 


thy  grace,  grant  mo  perseveraw^w  And  do  thou, 
Mary,  mother  of  holy  persev  ^ance,  never  ccaac 
to  intercede  with  Jesus  for  me. 


;| 


MEDITATION  II. 


MONDAY. 


Jesns  is  brought  before  Caiphas  and  condemned 

to  Death. 

The  iniquitous  High  Priest,  finding  that  there 
was  no  evidence  against  the  innocent  Jesus  upon 
which  to  condemn  him,  sought  to  ensnare  him  i;i 
his  speech,  so  that  he  might  be  able  from  his 
own  testimony  to  pronounce  him  guilty  ^f  death. 
Accordingly,  he  insidiously  demanded  of  him  in 
the  name  of  God,  Adjuro  te  per  Deum  vivum, 
ut  dicas  nobis  si  tu  es  Christus  filins  Dei, 
Matt.  xxvi.  63.  And  Jesus  hearing  himself 
thus  solemnly  called  upon  in  the  name  of  God, 
immediately  declared  the  truth:  £(;'.'  mm;  et 
videbitis  Filium  hominis  sedentem  a  dextris  vir- 
tutis  Dei  et  venientem  cum  nubibus  cceli.  Marc. 
xiv.  62.  Caiphas  hearing  this,  rent  his  gar- 
ments, and  cried  out :  What  need  have  we  of 
further  evidence?  You  have  yourselves  heard 
him  blaspheme  :  Tunc  princeps  sacerdotum  scidit 
vestimenta  sua  dicens:  Blasphemavit ;  quid  adhuc 


m 

'I 


. 


K 


ll 


\C 


I 


V 


160 


MEDITATIONS. 


egemus  testibus?  Matt,  xxvi.  65.  Then  said  he 
to  the  other  priests  :  Quid  vobis  videtur  ?  And 
they  answered :  Reus  est  mortis.  But  this  same 
sentence  had  already  been  decreed  by  his  Eter- 
nal Father,  when  Jesus  offered  himself  to  suffer 
the  punishment  due  to  our  sins.  0  my  Jesus, 
I  give  thee  thanks,  I  love  thee. 

No  sooner  was  this  unjust  sentence  pro- 
nounced, than  they  began  and  continued  to 
torment  him  throughout  the  night,  until  they 
were  wearied ;  some  casting  their  filthy  spittle 
in  his  face,  others  striking  him,  and  others 
buffeting  him  and  deriding  him  as  a  false 
prophet :  Tunc  expuerunt  in  faciem  ejus,  et 
colaphis  eum  ceciderunt ;  alii  autem  palmas  in 
faciem  ejus  dederunt  dicentes :  Prophetiza  nobis, 
Christ e,  quis  est  qui  te  percussit.  Matt,  xxvi. 
67,  68.  And,  as  St.  Mark  adds,  they  blind- 
folded him  with  a  scailet  rag,  and  then  by  turns 
struck  him. 

Ah !  my  Jesus,  how  many  injuries  hast 
thou  endured  for  me,  to  ^satisfy  for  the  inju- 
ries which  I  have  offered   thee!    I  love  thee, 

0  infinite  goodness ;  I  am  exceedingly  sorry 
for  having  offended  thee.  Pardon  me,  and 
give  me  the  grace  of  becoming  wholly  thine. 

1  desire  to  be  wholly  thine,  vouchsafe  to 
make   me   such.     Mary,  my  advocate  and   my 


MEDITATIONS. 


161 


et 


hope,    obtain   this  for   me  by   thy  holy   inter- 
cession. 


MEDITATION  III. 

TUESDAY. 

Jesus  is  derided  by  Herod, 

As  soon  as  morning  came,  the  Jews  con- 
ducted Jesus  before  the  tribunal  of  Pilate,  in 
order  to  be  again  condemned  by  the  governor, 
and  then  put  to  death.  Pilate  having  weighed 
all  the  accusations  which  they  brought  against 
our  innocent  Lord,  declared  that  he  could  dis- 
cover no  reason  for  condemning  him :  Ego  nul* 
lam  invenio  in  eo  causam,  Jo,  xviii.  38.  And 
to  free  himself  from  the  insults  of  the  Priests, 
who  persisted  in  requiring  him  to  put  Jesus  to 
death,  knowing  that  he  came  from  Galilee,  and 
was  a  subject  of  Herod's,  Pilate  sent  him  to 
Herod.  Herod  had  long  desired  to  see  Jesus,  in 
the  hope  of  witnessing  one  of  the  many  miracles 
which  he  had  heard  were  frequently  wrought 
by  our  Blessed  Saviour.  Accordingly,  when 
Jesus  was  brought  before  him,  he  put  many 
questions  to  him,  but  received  no  reply :  Jesus 
was  silent.  Herod  and  his  court  being  incensed 
at  this,  treated  him  as  a  fool,  clothed  him  with  a 
white  garment,  and  sent  him  back  to  Pilate: 
14 


.'i'  '1:3 


162 


MEDITATIONS. 


^^: 


Sprevit  autem  ilium  Herodes  cum  exercitu  suo, 
et  illusit  indutum  veste  alba  et  remisit  ad  Pi- 
latum.  Luc,  xxiii.  11.  0  my  Jesus,  truly  indeed 
had  the  prophet  Isaias  foretold  of  thee,  that 
thou  wouldst  be  treated  as  the  last  and  vilest 
of  men  upon  earth :  novissimum  virorum.  But 
since  thou,  my  Redeemer  and  my  God,  hast 
been  pleased  to  be  despised  for  my  sake,  I  will 
accept  and  embrace  all  the  contempt  that  may 
be  cast  upon  me  by  men,  and  will  not  resent 
it,  as  I  hitherto  have  done,  to  thy  great  dis- 
pleasure. 

Unhappy  Herod !  By  his  iniquity  he  had  ren- 
dered himself  unworthy  to  be  spoken  to  by  Jesus. 
0  my  Saviour,  how  often  have  I  rendered  myself 
unworthy  that  thou  shouldst  speak  to  me,  and 
deserve  to  be  abandoned  by  thee!  but  for  thy 
mercy's  sake,  speak  unto  me.  Loquere,  Domine, 
quia  audit  serms  tuus.  Hitherto  I  have  not 
listened  to  thee  ;  but  now,  as  I  love  thee,  I  will 
obey  thee  in  all  things  :  say  what  thou  wiliest  of 
me,  for  I  desire  to  please  thee  in  all  things.  Ah, 
Lord,  when  shall  I  become  wholly  thine,  and 
no  longer  devoted  to  myself?  No,  I  will  no 
longer  resist  thy  loving  calls.  O  Mary,  thy 
prayers  are  all-powerful ;  beseech  thy  Son  to 
make  me  such  as  he  would  have  me  to  be. 


MEDITATIONS. 


163 


MEDITATION  IV. 


WEDNESDAY. 

Jesus  is  Scourged  at  a  Pillar^  and  Crowned 
"     '  with  Thorns, 

Pilate  knowing  that  Jesus  was  innocent, 
but  wishing  to  satisfy  the  Jews,  condemned  him 
to  be  scourged,  hoping  thus  to  deliver  him  at 
least  from  death.  Our  Blessed  Redeemer  sub- 
mitted to  this  most  grievous  torment,  in  order  to 
make  satisfaction  for  all  sins  committed  by  our 
senses ;  according  to  the  prediction  of  the  pro- 
phet :  Ipse  autem  vulneratus  est  propter  iniqui- 
tates  nostras,  attritus  est  propter  scelera  nostra, 
Isa,  liii.  5.  It  was  then,  0  my  Saviour,  my  sins, 
and  not  the  scourges  which  rent  and  tore  thy 
sacred  flesh ;  had  I  committed  fewer  sins,  thou 
wouldst  have  been  less  cruelly  tortured.  I  love 
thee,  my  sovereign  good,  and  I  am  sorry  with  my 
whole  heart  for  having  so  often  offended  thee. 

The  Jews,  still  not  satisfied,  instigated  the 
soldiers  to  crown  him  with  thorns,  and  to  treat 
him  as  a  mock  king.  They  stript  him,  there- 
fore, again  of  his  garments,  clothed  him  in  a 
purple  robe,  placed  a  reed  in  his  hand,  and 
pressed  a  crown  of  thorns  upon  his  head.  My 
beloved  Redeemer,  my  consent  to  many  sins  and 


i  1 


164 


MEDITATIONS. 


-    3 


my  wicked  desires  were  the  cruel  thorns  which 
pierced  thee  with  so  much  torture.  I  now  hate 
and  detest  them  above  every  evil.  Then  did 
they  mock  him,  salut'^g  him  as  king  of  the 
Jews,  and  buffeted  hiia,  Uludebant  e?',  dicentes: 
are,  rex  JudiBorum,  ^fatt,  xxvii.  29.  St.  John 
adds :  Et  dabant  ei  alapas,  Jo.  xix.  3.  Ah !  my 
Jesus,  thou  art  now  the  king*of  scorn  and  suf- 
fering: but  I  recognize  thee  as  my  true  king 
and  I^rd,  and  I  thank  thee  and  love  thee  above 
all  things.  I  love  thee,  0  Jesus,  scourged  and 
crowned  with  thorns  for  my  sake.  0  grant  me 
to  renounce  all  things  else,  that  I  may  love 
nothing  but  thee.  0  Mary,  Mother  of  God, 
pray  to  Jesus  for  me. 


MEDITATION  V. 

THURSDAY. 

Pilate  presents  Jesus  to  the  People,  exclaiming, 

Ecce  Homo, 

Jesus  having  been  again  brought  before 
Pilate,  and  Pilate  seeing  him  so  dreadfully  torn 
and  mangled,  persuaded  himself  that,  if  he  pre- 
sented him  in  such  a  state  before  the  Jews,  they 
would  relent  and  be  appeased.  Accordingly  he 
went  forth  upon  an  open  gallery,  leading  our 
afflicted  ^Saviour,  and  said  to  the  people,  Ecce 


MEDITATIONS. 


165 


homo.  There  was  Jesus,  with  a  crown  of  thorns 
upon  his  head,  and  clothed  in  a  purple  gar- 
ment :  Exivit  ergo  Jesus  portans  coronam  spineam 
et  purpureum  vestimentum,  Jo.  xix.  5.  Behold 
thou  also,  my  soul,  thy  Redeemer,  and  reflect  to 
what  thy  loving  shepherd  has  heen  reduced  to 
save  thee,  his  lost  sheep.  0  my  Jesus,  I  thank 
thee.  Misericordias  tuus,  Domine^  in  (Bternum 
cantabo. 

But  the  Jews,  when  they  saw  him,  instead 
of  relenting,  cried  out,  Crucifige,  crucijige  eum, 
Pilate  nevertheless  sought  to  set  him  at  liberty, 
knowing  that  he  was  innocent  j  but  they  con- 
tinued to  cry  out,  Tolle,  tolle^  crucijige  eum.  Ah 
my  Jesus,  and  I  also,  in  some  measure,  have 
cried  out  thus  for  thy  death,  by  expelling  thee 
from  my  soul :  and  thou  hast  nevertheless  sacri- 
ficed thy  life  upon  the  cross  in  order  to  save  me. 
My  dear  Redeemer,  I  am  conscious  of  the  wrong 
which  I  have  done  thee,  and  would  willingly  die 
of  sorrow  for  it.  I  am  sorry  with  my  whole 
soul,  0  infinite  goodness,  for  having  hitherto 
thus  contemned  thee ;  but  now  I  love  thee  above 
all  things,  and  value  thy  grace  above  all  the 
goods  of  earth  and  of  heaven :  for  without  thy 
grace,  what  would  the  whole  world  avail  me? 
Thou  hast  loved  me  even  unto  death,  and  I 
desire  to  love  thee  in  like  manner.  Do  thou 
14* 


Si; 


166 


MEDITATIONS. 


!f' 


W' 


u 


li 
m 


grant  me  perseverance,  give  me  thy  holy  love, 
grant  that  for  the  time  to  come  I  may  never 
more  displease  thee,  and  think  of  nothing  but 
how  to  love  thee. 

0  blood  of  Jesus,  inebriate  me  with  thy  holy 
love :  0  death  of  Jesus,  induce  me  to  die  to  aii 
earthly  afifections.  My  beloved  Saviour,  deliver 
me  from  hell  which  I  have  so  often  deserved ;  in 
hell  I  could  BO  longer  love  thee,  but  mvst  curse 
thy  sacred  blood,  thy  death,  and  ail  thy  other 
graces.  No,  my  Jesus,  I  desire  to  love  thee, 
and  to  love  only  tLee.  Grant  me  the  grace  to 
love  thee,  and  dispose  of  me  as  thou  pleasest. 
0  Mary,  refuge  of  sinners,  help  me,  a  sinner, 
who  desires  to  love  God  and  has  recourse  to 
thee.  Thou  listenest  to  all  who  pray  to  thee: 
hear  me  then  for  the  love  of  Jesus  Christ  whom 
thou  lovest  so  tenderly.  ^ 


,  * 


MEDITATION  VL 

FRIDAY. 

Jesus  is  condemned  by  Pilate,  and  carries  his 

Cross  to  Calvary. 

Behold  Pilate  ascends  the  tribunal  and  con- 
demns Jesus  to  die  upon  the  cross.  The  unjust 
sentence  is  read  aloud  as  passed  by  Pilate ;  but 
had  been  first  decreed  by  the  Eternal  Father, 


\._- 


MEDITATIONS. 


167 


when  he  willed  that  his  Son  should  die  for  our 
salvation.  Jesus  receives  it  with  perfect  resigna- 
tion to  the  divine  will,  and  humbly  submits  to  it 
in  order  by  his  death  to  free  us  from  the  eternal 
death  which  we  had  deserved.  Humiliavit  seme- 
iipsum  f actus  obediens  usque  ad  mortem,  mortem 
autem  cruets.  Philip,  ii.  8.  My  beloved  Re- 
deemer, thou  acceptest  of  death  in  order  to  give 
me  eternal  life ;  if  thou  hadst  not  died  for  me,  I 
should  have  been  lost  for  ever.  I  give  thee 
thanks,  0  love  of  my  soul,  thy  death  is  my  hope. 
And  since  thou,  my  God,  didst  accept  of  death 
for  the  love  of  me,  I  accept  of  death  for  the  love 
of  thee,  both  as  to  the  time  and  the  place  which 
ihou  shalt  appoint,  with  all  the  pains  that  will 
accompany  it.  I  beseech  thee  to  give  me  the 
grace  to  die  with  the  desire  of  pleasing  thee,  and 
of  doing  thy  will. 

Behold,  Jesus  goes  forth  from  Pilate's  hall, 
Ibearing  the  cross  on  his  shoulders,  on  his  way  to 
Calvary,  the  place  of  execution.  Behold  the 
grand  spectacle  now  exhibited  to  the  world — 
God,  the  Creator  of  all  things,  going  to  die  for 
his  creatures !  Ah  !  my  Saviour,  Jesus,  0  love 
of  my  soul,  thou  art  about  to  die  for  me,  I  desire 
not  to  leave  thee,  but  to  go  and  to  die  with  thee. 
How  miserable  have  I  hitherto  been,  in  disregard- 
ing thee,  and  turning  my  back  upon  thee;  but 


'i 


1 


I 


'■'■: 


I -' 


168 


MEDITATIONS. 


now  I  love  thee  above  every  good,  and  am  sorry 
with  my  whole  heart  for  having  offended  thee, 
and  will  never  more  forsake  thee  even  until  death. 
I  embrace  thee  with  all  the  affection  of  my  soul, 
and  desire  to  live  and  die  in  thy  embraces.  O 
do  not  abandon  ae,  withdraw  not  thy  grace  from 
me.  Nor  do  thou,  my  advocate  and  protectress, 
Mary,  abandon  me,  cease  not  to  intercede  for  me. 


MEDITATION  VII. 

SATURDAY. 

Jesus  dies  upon  the  Cross  in  the  presence  of 
his  afflicted  Mother. 

As  soon  as  Jesus  arrived  on  Mount  Calvary, 
the  appointed  executioners  strip  him  again  of  his 
garments  and  throw  him  down  upon  the  cross. 
Jesus  stretcheth  forth  his  hands  and  offers  to  his 
Eternal  Father  the  great  sacrifice  of  himself  for 
the  salvation  of  men. 

Behold,  they  seize  their  hammers,  and  driving 
large  nails  through  his  sacred  hands  and  feet, 
fasten  hun  to  the  cross,  aad  leave  him  there  to 
die.  0  man,  0  man !  how  canst  thou  behold  thy 
God  upon  such  an  infamous  gibbet,  dying  for  the 
love  of  thee,  and  yet  not  love  him  ? 

Jesus  hanging  on  the  cross!  See  the  last 
appearance  of  the  Lord  of  the  universe  on  the 


MEDITATIONS. 


169 


N 


last 
the 


earth!  Behold  the  proof  of  God's  love  for 
us  I  St.  Francis  of  Paula,  contemplating  Jesus 
on  the  cross,  was  accustomed  to  exclaim ;  "  O 
God  of  love  !  0  God  of  love  !  0  God  of  love !" 
Never  will  any  one  be  able  to  explain  or  under- 
stand the  greatness  of  the  love  shown  to  us  by 
God  in  being  pleased  to  die  for  us  his  miserable 
and  ungrateful  creatures. 

And. yet,  knowing  this,  I  have  disregarded  thy 
love  and  have  renounced  thy  grace.  But  thy 
blood  is  my  hope.  I  am  sorry  above  every  evil, 
my  beloved  Jesus,  for  having  turned  my  back 
upon  thee ;  I  love  thee  with  my  whole  soul,  I  love 
thee  above  all  things ;  and  I  promise  thee  that 
from  this  day  forward  I  will  love  no  other  but  thee. 

Approach,  my  soul,  humbled  and  softened, 
approach  the  cross,  on  which  thy  dying  Lord  is 
hanging.  Kiss  that  altar  on  which  he  is  pleased 
to  die  in  sacrifice  for  thee,  spent  with  torture, 
thy  very  Creator  himself.  Bathe  thyself  in  the 
blood  which  flows  from  his  sacred  feet ;  wash  out 
with  it  all  thy  sins,  and  hope  from  it  all  good. 
My  dear  Jesus,  I  desire  to  be  no  longer  my  own, 
but  thine,  and  wholly  thine.  Say  to  me  what 
thou  desirest  of  me,  and  I  will  indeed  accomplish 
it.  I  hope  all  from  thy  bounty.  And  from  thy 
protection  also,  O  Mary,  my  mother,  do  I  hope 
for  all  good  things. 


m 


:«    'si 


i 


170 


THANKSGIVING  AFTER  MASS. 


> 


.   I    r. 

11 

it'' 


'& 


2ll)ank0giDing0    after   iHass, 

FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  WEEK. 


THANKSGIVING  I. 

SUNDAY. 

My  beloved  Jesus,  I  adore  thee  now  present 
within  my  breast  under  the  humble  appearances 
of  bread  and  wine,  and  I  cast  myself  at  thy 
sacred  feet,  to  pour  forth  to  thee  my  thanks  for 
thy  great  bounty  in  having  been  pleased  to  come 
to  visit  me,  a  wretched  sinner,  who  have  so  often 
expelled  thee  from  my  soul. 

When,  my  Eedeemer,  I  reflect  on  the  sins  of 
my  past  life,  I  would  willingly  die  of  sorrow  for 
them.  I  give  thee  thanks  for  having  aiforded 
me  the  opportunity  of  making  amends  for  the  evil 
which  I  have  done.  Hitherto  I  have  disregarded 
thy  love  ;  but  now  I  love  none  but  thee,  nor  seek 
to  please  any  other  but  thee.  Deus  mens  et 
omnia.  Henceforth  thou  alone  shalt  be  my  only 
good,  the  only  object  of  my  love.  0  love  of 
my  soul,  I  desire  to  give  myself  entirely  to  thee ; 
and  if  I  am  not  able  to  do  this  as  I  ought,  do 

thou  draw  me  to  thyself.     Trahe  me  post  te 

in  odorem  ungentorum  tuorum.  0  Word  incar- 
nate, 0  God  of  love  for  man,  by  thy  sweet  and 


THANKSGIVING  AFTER  MASS. 


171 


powerful  attractions  detach  me  from  all  wordly 
aifecticms,  and  draw  me  wholly  to  thy  holy  love  I 
Grant  that  I  may  be  able  truly  to  say ;  Quid 
mihi  est  in  ccbIo  ?  et  a  te  quid  volui  super  ter- 
ram?  Deus  cordis  mei  et  pars  mea  Deus  in 
(sternum,  0  my  Jesus,  be  thou  the  sole  master 
of  my  whole  heart,  of  my  whole  will ;  o  that  I 
may  will  nothing  but  what  thou  wiliest,  seek  no- 
thing but  what  is  agreeable  to  thee,  and  be  pleased 
with  nothing  but  what  is  well  pleasing  to  thee. 
Deus  cordis  mei  et  pars  mea  Deus  in  (sternum. 
Let  others  choose  what  they  will  in  this  world, 
thou  alone  shalt  be  for  ever  my  only  portion. 

Of  myself  I  can  do  nothing,  but  by  thy  grace 
I  shall  be  able  to  do  all  tilings  :  Omnia  possum 
in  eo  qui  me  confortat.  Thou  hast  promised  to 
listen  to  those  who  pray  to  thee :  Petite  et  acci- 
pietis.  Behold  the  graces  which  I  now  ask  of 
thee:  grant  me  holy  perseverance,  give  me  thy 
love,  and  I  ask  for  nothing  more.  O  my  Jesus, 
through  the  merits  of  thy  bitter  passion,  I  be- 
seech thee  to  hear  me.  Mary,  thy  prayers  can 
effect  every  thing,  pray  to  Jesus  for  me.  0  my 
Mother,  for  the  love  of  thy  Son  hear  me. 


THANKSGIVING  II. 

'       '      '  MONDAY.  " 

0  my  divine  Shepherd,  thou  hast  descended 


'■  -  m 


172 


THANKSaiVINQ  AFTER   MASS. 


.'!» 


F  »' 


I: 


K 


i 


from  heaven  to  save  me,  the  lost  sheep,  and  i 
have  again  turned  away  from  thee  to  my  own 
perdition.  Erravi  sicut  ovis  quce  periit  ;  qucBre 
servum  tuum,  Ps,  cxviii.  176.  I  hope,  0  my 
Jesus,  that  thou  hast  pardoned  me  my  many 
offences  against  thee  ;  but  if  as  yet  thou  hast  not 
forgiven  me,  forgive  me  now  that  thou  art  come 
into  my  soul.  I  am  sorry  with  my  whole  hca^^t 
for  having  hitherto  so  often  disregarded  thy 
grace  j  I  now  esteem  it  above  every  good,  and 
rather  than  lose  it,  I  would  sacrifice  my  life  a 
thousand  times.  What  can  it  avail  me  to  live  in 
this  world  devoid  of  thy  grace. 

My  beloved  Redeemer,  thou  hast  died  for  all 
in  order  that  none  shall  live  for  themselves,  but 
only  for  thee  who  hast  given  thy  life  for  them : 
Pro  omnibus  mortuus  est  Christ  us  ^  ut  et  qui 
vivunt  jam  non  sibi  vivant,  sed  ei  qui  pro  ipsis 
mortuus  est,  2  Cor,  v.  15.  I  have  hitherto  lived 
for  myself,  forgetful  of  thee ;  henceforth  I  will  live 
only  for  thee,  who  hast  died  for  me  :  I  will  forget 
all  things  else  that  I  may  think  only  of  thee,  and 
love  only  thee  who  hast  so  loved  me.  That  I 
may  do  this,  help  me  by  thy  grace,  which  I  confi- 
dently hope  to  obtain  according  to  thy  promise  : 
Si  quid  petieritis  in  nomine  meo,  dabo  vobis,  Jo, 
xiv.  14.  Through  the  merits  therefore  of  thy 
bitter  passion,  I  ask  for  it  and  hope  to  obtain  it. 


ir 


THANKSGIVING  AFTER  MASS. 


173 


Adveniat  regnum  tuum,  Bcign,  reign,  my 
Jesus,  over  my  whole  soul,  and  never  suffer  it 
again  to  rebel  against  thee.  I  love  thee,  0  in- 
finite goodness,  and  I  beseech  thee  :  JVe  permit- 
tns  me  separari  a  te.  Grant  that  I  may  rather  die 
than  be  ever  again  deprived  of  thy  friendship. 
In  te  Domine,  speravi,  non  confundar  in  (Bter^ 
num,  0  Mary,  0  powerful  advocate  of  those 
who  confide  in  thy  intercession,  in  thee  do  I  hope 
for  eternal  life.  I  say  to  thee,  with  St.  Bona- 
venture,  full  of  joy,  In  te  Domine^  speravi^  non 
confundar  in  ceternum. 


THANKSGIVING  III. 

TUESDAY. 

My  Jesus,  and  my  God,  grant  me  ever  to 
know  the  infinite  good  which  thou  art  in  thyself, 
and  the  immense  love  which  thou  hast  shown  me, 
in  having  been  pleased  to  suffer  through  the 
whole  course  of  thy  life,  and  to  die  for  the  love 
of  me,  and  moreover  to  give  thyself  so  frequent- 
ly to  me  in  the  holy  communion.  St.  John 
Chrysostom  writes,  homil,  51 :  Semetipsum  nobis 
immiscuity  ut  unum  quid  simus ;  ardenter  enim 
amantium  hoc  est.  In  a  word,  my  Saviour, 
thou  hast  debased  thyself,  through  the  ardor  of 
thy  love  for  me,  so  far  as  to  become  my  food, 
that  I  may  become  one  with  thee. 
15 


174 


THANKSGIVING  AFTER  MASS. 


I 


Hi, 


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I 


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i. 


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V 


Come,  then,  come,  0  God  of  my  soul,  and 
make  me  entirely  thine.  Come  and  expel  from 
within  me  all  earthly  aflfeetions,  that  I  may  love 
thee  alone,  think  only  of  thee,  speak  only  of  thee, 
seek  and  desire  only  thee.  And  what  shall  I 
love,  if  I  love  not  thee,  who  art  infinite  good- 
ness, and  who  hast  so  loved  me  as  to  die  for  me  ? 
Ah,  my  Jesus,  how  couldst  thou,  from  amongst 
so  many  of  thy  faithful  servants,  have  chosen  me 
to  be  one  of  thy  Priests  ?  I  have  so  often  turned 
my  back  upon  thee,  and  dost  thou  deign  every 
morning  to  come  into  my  hands  and  descend  into 
my  breast  ?  Woe  to  me,  if,  after  so  many  favors 
bestowed  upon  me,  I  should  forfeit  thy  grace. 
Lord,  I  now  love  thee  with  my  whole  soul,  and  I 
am  grieved  from,  the  bottom  of  my  heart  for  hav- 
ing ever  disregarded  thee :  I  will  never  more  offend 
thee,  but  love  thee  with  all  my  powers.  Assist 
me,  and  do  not  forsake  me.  Vulnera  tua,  meri- 
ta  mea.  S,  Bern.  Thy  wounds,  thy  blood,  thy 
death,  and  my  hope.  Grant  me  holy  persever- 
ance ;  grant  that  in  all  temptations  I  may  have 
recourse  to  thee ;  increase  thy  sacred  love  within 
me,  and  do  with  me  what  thou  pleasest.  Mary, 
my  Queen,  obtain  for  me  grace  to  recommend 
myself  always  to  thee  :  he  who  ever  flies  to  thee 
is  never  overcome  by  the  enemy. 


THANKSGIVING  AFTER  MASS. 


175 


THANKSGIVING  IV. 

WEDNESDAY. 

What  greater  proofs,  0  Word  incarnate, 
couldst  thou  give  of  thy  immense  love  for  us 
miserable  and  guilty  worms !  What  more  re- 
mains for  thee  to  devise  in  order  to  oblige  us  to 
love  thee !  Woe  to  him  who  is  devoid  of  thy 
love !  and  woe  to  me,  who  hitherto  have  not  only 
not  loved  thee,  but  abused  thy  patience  by  the 
many  offences  which  I  have  committed  against 
thee !  How  many  times,  0  God  of  my  soul, 
have  I  forfeited  thy  grace  for  a  wretched  gratifi- 
cation, and  thus  declared  that  I  would  not  serve 
thee  !  0  God  of  my  soul,  I  am  sorry  for  it  with 
my  whole  heart.  I  hope  for  pardon  from  thee 
through  the  merits  of  thy  death,  and  I  hope  to 
persevere  in  loving  thee.  For  this  end,  during 
how  many  years  hast  thou  given  thyself  to  me  ! 
I  will  no  longer  resist ;  and  what  ?  shall  I  wait 
until  thou  in  justice  consignest  me  to  hell  ?  I 
love  thee,  0  infinite  goodness ;  I  love  thee,  my 
God,  worthy  of  infinite  love  ;  I  love  thee,  and 
desire  ever  to  repeat  in  this  world  and  in  the 
next :  I  love  thee,  I  love  thee,  I  love  thee. 

In  mantis  tuas  commendo  spiritum  meum;  re- 
demisti  me,  Domine,  Deus  veritatis.  My  Jesus, 
do  not  forsake  me.    Thou  descendest  from  heaven 


176 


THANKSGIVING  AFTER  MASS. 


t 


■A   -  V 


every  day  to  unite  me  with  thyself,  and  feed  me 
with  thine  own  body.  0  grant  that  I  may  never 
once  again  be  separated  from  thee.  Jesus,  my 
love  and  my  hope,  I  now  desire  nothing  but  to 
be  thine,  and  wholly  thine,  without  the  least  re- 
serve. My  Redeemer,  enable  me  to  become  so. 
O  bone  Jem  exaudi  me,  0  Mary,  my  mother,  if 
thou  prayest  for  me,  I  shall  assuredly  obtain 
grace.     0  Maria,  exaudi  me. 


THANKSGIVma  V.       , 

THURSDAY. 

^n  nescitis  quoniam  non  estis  vestri  ?  Empti 
enim  estis  pretio  magno.  Thus  does  the  apostle 
admonish  us.  And  so  it  is,  my  Jesus  ;  yet,  often 
forgetful  of  thee,  have  I  for  something  worse 
than  nothing,  exchanged  thy  friendship  and  thy 
love.  All  this  is  true  ;  but  it  is  also  true  that  I 
am  one  of  those  sinners  who  have  been  purchased 
with  thy  blood.  Te  ergo  qucBsumus,  tuis  famu- 
lis  subveni,  quos  pretioso  sanguine  redemisti. 
I  love  thee,  my  Jesus,  above  every  good,  and 
because  I  love  thee,  1  am  sorry  with  my  whole 
heart  for  having  offended  thee. 

Alas !  how  many  years  have  I  lost,  during 
which  I  might  have  served  thee  and  become  a 
saint  I    Instead  of  which,  I  have  spent  them  in 


THANKSQIVINO  AFTER  MASS. 


177 


displeasing  thee,  and  in  ruining  my  soul.  But 
thy  goodness  affords  me  hopes  that  for  the  future 
I  shall  recompense  for  the  years  past,  by  redoub- 
ling the  love  which  I  owe  thee.  My  Jesus,  thou 
hast  given  thyself  to  me  upon  the  cross  and  in 
the  most  Holy  Sacrament.  Miserable  creature 
as  I  am,  what  shall  I  give  thee  ?  I  give  thee  all 
my  earthly  gratifications ;  I  give  thee  my  body, 
my  soul,  my  liberty,  my  will.  If  thou  seest  that 
I  shall  ever  again  withdraw  my  will  to  offend 
thee,  I  beseech  thee,  let  me  now  die,  while  I  am, 
as  I  hope,  in  thy  grace.  Eternal  Father,  thou 
grandest  all  graces  which  are  asked  for  in  the 
name  of  Jesus  Christ.  In  the  name,  then,  of 
Jesus  Christ,  I  beseech  thee,  grant  me  holy  per- 
severance, grant  me  thy  holy  love.  0  Mary, 
thou  art  the  mother  of  perseverance  :  thou  hear-^ 
est  those  who  pray  to  thee  ;  to  thee  d^  I  fly,  and 
from  thee  do  I  hope  for  this  holy  perseverance. 


THANKSGIVma  VI. 

FRIDAY. 

Christus  dihscit  nos  et  tradidit  semefipsum  pro 
nobis.  Ephes.  v.  2.  Has  then  Jesus  Christ,  tiie 
Son  of  G-od,  so  loved  us  as  to  die  in  toriiients 
upon  a  cross  for  us  ?      Who   could   ever   have 


178 


THANKSGIVING  AFTER  MASS. 


imagined  tliis,  had  not  our  Blessed  Redeemer 
chosen  really  to  die  thus  for  us  ?  Ego  pono  ani^ 
mam  meam  (are  his  own  words,)  nemo  tollit  earn 
a  me,  sed  ego  ponam  earn,  Jo.  x.  17,  18.  O 
my  soul,  were  it  possible  to  doubt  of  thy  Sa- 
viour's love  for  thee,  look  on  him  dead  upon  the 
cross  for  thy  sake.  What  greater  proof  of  his 
love  could  he  afford  thee,  than  to  have  given  his 
life  to  save  thee?  In  hoc  cognovimit^  charita- 
tern  Dei,  quoniam  ille  animam  suam  pro  nobis 
posuit.     1  Jo,  iii.  16. 

0  my  Jesus,  thou  hast  laid  down  thy  life  to 
save  me,  and  have  I  forfeited  thy  friendship  for 
a  mere  nothing,  a  fume,  a  wretched  gratification? 
I  am  sorry  for  it  above  every  evil,  and  would 
willingly    die    of    grief    for    having    done    so. 
Through  the  merits  of  thy  death  forgive  me,  and 
as  a  pledge  of  thy  forgiveness,  grant  me  a  true 
sorrow  for  my  sins,  and  a  true  love  for  thee.     I 
perceive  within  me,  through  thy  grace,  an  ardent 
desire  to  love  thee,  and  I  am  resolved  to  be 
wholly  thine.     But  I  know  my  weakness,  and  I 
know    the    treasons   which    I    have    committed 
against  thee  ;  thou  alone  canst  make  me  strong 
and   faithful.     Assist  me,  therefore,   and  grant 
that  I  may  love  thee.    I  ask  for  nothing  more. 

In  hoc,...,.Christus  mortvvs  est  et  resurrexit 
ut  mortuorum  et  vivorum  domineiur.  Ro?n.  xiv.  9. 


THANKSGIVING  AFTER  MASS. 


179 


Thus,  0  Lord,  thou  didst  die  in  order  to  become 
master  of  our  hearts.  Yes,  my  Jesus,  I  desire 
that  this  heart  of  mine  which  has  so  often  re- 
belled against  thee,  should  now  become  entirely 
thine  :  do  thou  henceforward  reign  over  it,  and 
it  shell  be  obedient  to  all  thy  wishes.  Make 
known  to  me  what  thou  requirest  of  me,  for  by 
thy  grace  I  will  accomplish  it.  0  Mary,  pray  to 
Jesus  for  me :  thou  canst  make  me  faithful  to 
my  God, 


^ 


THANKSaiVINa  VII. 

SATURDAY,  ; 

Jlnimam  meam  pono  pro  ovibus  meis,     Jo.  x. 
15.     0  divine  Shepherd,  who  for  the  love  of  thy 
sheep  wast  pleased  to  die  in  torments  upon  a 
disgraceful  gibbet,  do  not  abandon  me,  as  I  have 
deserved  by  my  many  offences  against  thee.     I 
have  sinned  against  thee,  but  I  .will  sin  now  no 
more ;   ray  dear   eTesus,   I   love  thee  above   all 
things,  and  I  have  no  greater  affliction  than  the 
remembrance  of  having  for  so  many  years  disre- 
garded thee.     I  givQ  thee  thanks  for  not  having 
plunged  me  into  hell,  and  for  having  waited  for 
me  with  so  much  patience.     Ah !  my  true  lover, 
instead  of  abandoning  me,  thou  hast  approached 
me,  and  hast  so  knocked  at  tha  door  of  my  heart, 


i 


180 


THANKSGIVING  AFTER  MASS. 


i 


and  solicited  me  by  thy  sweet  and  loving  calls, 
as  at  length  to  induce  me  to  love  thee.  I  give 
thee  thanks,  my  Jesus,  but  beseech  thee  to  com- 
plete the  work  which  thou  hast  begun  in  me. 
Grant  me  light  and  strength  to  detach  myself 
from  every  thing  which  conduces  not  to  thy  love. 
Thou  hast  said  that  thou  lovest  those  who  love 
thee  :  Ego  diligentes  me  diligo.  Hitherto  I  have 
turned  my  back  upon  thee,  and  thus  justly 
merited  thy'hatred  ;  but  now  that  I  love  thee,  O 
God,  hate  me  no  longer,  but  love  me.  I  esteem 
it  mere  to  'be  loved  by  thee  than  to  be  loved  by 
th«^'  wj  ole  world :  let  all  others  abhor  me,  pro- 
vided only  that  thou  regardest  me  with  love  :  so 
long  as  I  lose  not  thy  love  I  am  content  to  suffer 
the  loss  of  all  other  things.  Bind  and  unite  me 
so  closely  with  thyself,  that  I  may  never  again 
be  separated  from  thee.  Jesu  dulcissime,  ne 
p  ermittas  me  separari  a  te.  Mary,  most  holy  Vir- 
gin, thou  canst  obtain  this  grace  for  me,  never 
to  be  separated  from  the  love  of  my  God. 


Cans  T3co, 


